Question

Write the functions of enzymes. Also give their classification.

Accepted Answer

Enzymes are biomolecules that catalyze all kinds of chemical reactions that are involved in growth, breathing, digestion, reproduction, blood coagulation, healing, fighting against diseases, and many other biological activities.
For example, Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breakdowns starch in food to smaller carbohydrate molecules and Renin is an enzyme secreted by kidneys that helps to regulate the blood pressure.

On the basis of the type of reactions an enzyme catalyzes, enzymes are classified into seven categories, which are:
(i) Oxidoreductases: These are related to biological oxidation and reduction. (respiration and fermentation)
(ii) Transferases: They catalyse the transfer of any group from one substrate to another substrate.
(iii) Hydrolases: These catalyse hydrolysis reactions.

(iv) Lyases: Reactions where the removal of functional groups are catalysed to form double bond or the reverse.
(v) Isomerases: These catalyse the intramolecular rearrangement.
(vi) Ligases: These catalyse the synthesis of two groups from condensation process. In this process, ATP or any other triphosphate is required.
(vii) Translocases: These assists in moving another molecule, usually across a cell membrane.

Write the functions of enzymes. Also give their classification.

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