How many classes of enzymes are recognized in the enzyme classification system?

The enzyme classification system recognizes six main classes of enzymes, which provides a structured way to categorize the vast variety of enzymes based on the types of reactions they catalyze. These classes are:

1. Oxidoreductases - Enzymes that catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions, where the oxidation state of molecules is altered.
2. Transferases - Enzymes that facilitate the transfer of specific functional groups from one molecule to another.

3. Hydrolases - Enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of chemical bonds, often involving the addition of water to break these bonds.
4. Lyases - These enzymes help in the breaking of chemical bonds by means other than hydrolysis or oxidation, often forming new double bonds or rings.
5. Isomerases - Enzymes that catalyze the rearrangement of atoms within a molecule, converting it from one isomer to another.
6. Ligases - Enzymes involved in joining two larger molecules by forming new chemical bonds, usually accompanied by the hydrolysis of adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Recognizing that there are precisely six classes helps in studying enzymes systematically and understanding their functions in biochemical