Classifications of Enzymes

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MCAT Physical › Classifications of Enzymes

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1

Chymotrypsin is a proteolytic enzyme that is released by the pancreas. Using a water molecule, it cleaves the traget polypeptide and creates the new N and C termini for the newly made fragments.

Based on this enzymatic function, what type of enzyme is chymotrypsin?

Hydrolase

Ligase

Lyase

Transferase

Explanation

Chymostrypsin creates smaller peptide segments, so it is not a ligase or transferase. Since it employs the use of a water molecule in order to cleave the polymer, it is classified as a hydrolase enzyme. Lyases also shorten polymers, but not with the use of a water molecule.

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