Question

Describe the classification and nomenclature of enzymes.

Answer 1

As we know that, enzymes are common terms used for the enhancement of any reaction. Enzymes are proteinaceous structures which help in activating and producing desired results in the biology field. Also, there are several types of enzymes present in our body which are supported in our day-to-day activities like- digestion, excretion and other essential aids. Without enzymes it is kind of impossible to sustain.

Complete Explanation:
All enzymes are derived from proteins. Hence, all enzymes can be considered to be proteins but all proteins are not enzymes. As proteins are macromolecules which are building blocks of our body, along with other macromolecules such as- carbohydrates and fats. Enzymes have a lock-key mechanism in which they directly attach to the substrate and get activated by factors and start the reaction at a faster rate. Every enzyme does not perform with every substrate. They have specific substrates for specific enzymes.
Enzyme classification is vast and enzymes classified according to their reactions that the enzyme can catalyse. Enzymes are actually classified into seven categories :- Oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, ligases and translocases. Enzymes are said to be given names like- “ase”. Regarding their substrate-catalytic action.
For example- urease catalyses the hydrolysis of urea. That is known as enzyme nomenclature. Systematic nomenclature is to describe the terms at what enzyme actually catalyses. The first contains the name of the substrate or in any bimolecular reaction two substrates are to be observed. The second is the suffix- “ase” which indicates the nature of reaction.
There is a big misconception between several of us that enzymes make reactions happen. No, enzymes only make the reaction faster, enhancing it so that the reaction can be completed soon. The enzyme which acts for the forward reaction is the same which will catalyse for the reverse reaction. Enzymes are not consumed permanently or altered by the reaction.

Note:
As we discussed so many factors about enzymes now, let us discuss its importance. Enzymes as we all knew already allow reactions to occur at the faster rate for the necessity of life. In animals, an important function of enzymes is to digest food. The organs of animals contain millions and millions of good enzymes like in the stomach, large intestine, small intestine.