Organic Chemistry:
A molecule is said to be saturated if it has no double or triple bonds. Since the term is usually used to refer to hydrocarbons, it means that it's saturated with hydrogen. For example, saturated fat.

Enzymology:
Populations of enzymes are saturated when all the individual enzyme molecules potentially have a bound substrate. This makes the step of converting the enzyme-substrate complex to product rate limiting.

Sat"u*ra`ted (?), a.

1.

Filled to repletion; holding by absorption, or in solution, all that is possible; as, saturated garments; a saturated solution of salt.

2. Chem.

Having its affinity satisfied; combined with all it can hold; -- said of certain atoms, radicals, or compounds; thus, methane is a saturated compound. Contrasted with unsaturated.

⇒ A saturated compound may exchange certain ingredients for others, but can not take on more without such exchange.

Saturated color Optics, a color not diluted with white; a pure unmixed color, like those of the spectrum.

 

© Webster 1913.

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