Amylase is classified as what type of enzyme?

Amylase is classified as a hydrolase enzyme, which is responsible for the hydrolysis of glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates. Specifically, amylase catalyzes the breakdown of starch and glycogen into simpler sugars like maltose and glucose by adding water to the molecular bonds. This process of hydrolysis is a key function of hydrolases, which utilize water to cleave chemical bonds.

In the context of the other types of enzymes, oxidases are enzymes that facilitate oxidation-reduction reactions, transferases are involved in transferring functional groups between molecules, and ligases link two molecules together, usually requiring energy input such as ATP. These distinctions highlight the specific function and action of amylase within the broader category of enzymes, thereby affirming its classification as a hydrolase.