1. Classification of Enzymes
Enzymes are classified into six groups according to the type of reaction
they catalyse:
Oxidoreductases
Transferases
Hydrolases
Lyases
Isomerases
Ligases
Enzyme Type of Reaction
Class/Group Catalysed Examples
Oxidoreductases Transfer of electrons or Dehydrogenases,
Transfer of H and O atoms oxidases,
between substances. reductases
Transferases Transfer of specific/ function Transaminases,
group from one molecule to transmethylases.
another
Hydrolases Hydrolytic Cleavage Phosphatases,
(Hydrolysis). Esterases,
peptidases,
glycosidases
• Each enzyme is given two names
• A systematic name based on one of the six groups above
• A trivial name which is shorter and easier to use. It is derived as
follows:
• Start with the name of the substrate upon which the enzyme acts
e.g. succinate
• Add the name of the type of reaction which it catalyses e.g.
dehydrogenation
• Convert the end of the last word to an -ase suffix e.g
dehydrogenase
End result - Succinic dehydrogenase