List and explain 3 classes of enzymes
1) Oxidoreductases: These enzymes facilitate the transfer of electrons from one molecule to another in oxidation-reduction reactions. For example, dehydrogenases are a class of oxidoreductases that catalyze the removal of hydrogen atoms from a substrate molecule. This class of enzymes plays a crucial role in metabolic processes such as cellular respiration.
2) Hydrolases: Hydrolases catalyze the cleavage of chemical bonds through the addition of water. They are involved in the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones. For instance, carbohydrases are a class of hydrolases that break down carbohydrates into smaller sugar units, allowing for their absorption and utilization by the body. Other examples of hydrolases include lipases, proteases, and nucleases.
3) Transferases: Transferases are responsible for transferring functional groups from one molecule to another. They play a key role in various biosynthetic pathways and cellular processes. For example, kinases are a class of transferases that transfer phosphate groups from ATP to specific molecules, thereby activating or deactivating them. Another example is transaminases, which facilitate the transfer of amino groups between amino acids during protein synthesis.
Overall, enzymes are classified into various classes based on the type of reaction they catalyze and the functional group involved in the reaction. These classes help in understanding and organizing the wide variety of enzymes found in biological systems.