6 Major Classes of Enzymes

Memory Hack💡

Remember, if you break down the word, a lot of the time you can figure out what the enzyme does! 

Notes

1.  Oxidoreductases: catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions

- Like all of these, the function of this enzyme is in its name. Oxido for oxidation, and reduct for reduction. 

2. Transferases: move function groups between molecules 

- It transfers functional groups from one molecule to the next. 

3.  Hydrolases: cleave bonds with water 

- Hydro: water, lase: I think of lyases (right below this one) which break bonds! 

4.  Lyases: break bonds→ form double bonds or add atoms to double bonds. 

- Unfortunately, this one does not have any super helpful tricks in its name, but I think of the word scythe because they both have the same “y” sound, and scythes slice things and break them apart. It’s silly, but it's how I remember! 

5. Isomerases: move function groups within a molecule. 

- Isomer is in the name, so just remember that this enzyme makes isomers! Aka. moves groups around within a molecule to make it an isomer. 

6. Ligases: join 2 molecules at the expense of ATP

- Like in DNA replication, ligase is used to stick the DNA molecules together. Additionally, to “ligate” something means to join the molecules together.