Enzymes are classified and named according to the<u> types of reactions they catalyze.</u>
Explanation:
According to the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology nomenclature of enzyme classification, enzymes are classified depending upon the reactions they catalyze and how the reaction transforms the substrate and forms new products.
Based on the reactions:
Addition reaction (removal of a water molecule): hydrases or hydrolases like esterases, nucleases etc
Electron transfer reaction: Oxidases and dehydrogenases
Radical transfer reaction: Transglycosidases, transaminases, etc
Splitting or C-C bond formation: Desmolases
Structural or geometrical change: Isomerases
Hydrolysis of phosphate bonds to join molecules: Ligases
Based on the general principle of recommendations, enzymes are suffixed with –ase depending upon the catalytic reaction and substrate.
