Naming Enzymes

• It is conventional to name the enzyme by adding -ase, as a suffix, to a derivative of the substrate although this is not always the case
• Cellulose is broken down by the enzyme cellulase to create glucose
• Protein is broken down by the enzyme protease (e.g. pepsin) to create amino acids or polypeptides
• Lipids are broken down by the enzyme lipase to create fatty acids and glycerol
• Lactose is broken down by the enzyme lactase to create glucose and galactose
• ATP is broken down by the enzyme ATPase to create ADP + Pi (reversible)
• Glucose is broken down by the enzyme glycogen synthase to create glycogen
• Hydrogen peroxide (H_2O_2) is broken down by the enzyme catalase synthase to create H_2O + O_2​
• Starch (amylose) is broken down by the enzyme amylase synthase to create maltose