Additional Enzymatic Reaction

Protease

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of proteins.

Catalase

An enzyme that accelerates the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

Lipase

An enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of lipids

Hydrolases

Enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis, the cleavage of chemical bonds by the addition of water.

Hydrolysis

The process of breaking chemical bonds by the addition of water.

Isomerases

Enzymes that promote intermolecular rearrangements within the same molecule to produce an isomer.

Ligases

Molecules that cause covalent bonds to be formed between other molecules.

Lyases

Enzymes that cause the cleavage of bonds by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation.

Oxidoreductases

Enzymes that catalyze the transfer of electrons from the reducing agent to the oxidizing agent.

Transferases

Enzymes that transfer a specific functional group from one molecule to another.

Active site

A unique chemical structure on an enzyme that binds only with select target molecules.

Biochemical reaction

A chemical process occurring within living organisms that transforms substances.

Substrate

The specific reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon.

Activation energy

The minimum energy required to initiate a chemical reaction.

Enzyme specificity

The ability of an enzyme to select and catalyze a specific substrate.

Cofactor

A non-protein substance that is essential for the activity of an enzyme.