🍪
'Tis the season sale SAVE 30% now
Pre-Health
/
Courses
/
Biochemistry and Genetics
/
Enzymes
/
Enzyme Types

Master Enzyme Types with Picmonic for Pre-Health

With Picmonic, facts become pictures. We've taken what the science shows - image mnemonics work - but we've boosted the effectiveness by building and associating memorable characters, interesting audio stories, and built-in quizzing.

DOWNLOAD PDF
Enzyme Types

Enzyme Types

Enzyme Type Characters
Picmonic
There are six fundamental types of enzymes. Lyases catalyze bond cleavage (typically C-C, C-N, or C-O) through elimination, which leaves double bonds or rings. Hydrolases also catalyze bond cleavage, but do so through the addition of water across the bond (one side gets an OH while the other side gets an H). Transferases catalyze the transfer of a group (i.e. methyl) from one compound to another. Isomerases catalyze structural or geometric changes within a molecule, in essence reordering the molecule. Oxidoreductases catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions in molecules. Finally, ligases catalyze the joining of two molecules, typically coupled with the hydrolysis of a phosphate bond from ATP. Almost all enzymes can be classified into these six categories, which are based on the types of reactions they catalyze. Kinases are a notable exception, which catalyze the phosphoryl transfer reaction from a phosphate donor to a receiving molecule.
6 KEY FACTS
CHARACTERISTICS
Lyases
Laser breaking 007-Bond

Lyase enzymes typically catalyze the breakdown of chemical bonds through a double bond or ring formation.

Hydrolases
Hydrant-laser breaking 007-Bond

Hydrolase enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of chemical bonds. They cleave bonds by adding water.

Transferases
Trans-farmer Transferring-asses

Transferase enzymes catalyze the transfer of a group from one compound to another compound, such as methyl, phospho or glycosyl groups.

Isomerases
Ice-Smurf switching blocks

Isomerase enzymes catalyze the structural rearrangement of isomers. Isomers are compounds with the same molecular formula but different structural formulas, and isomerases convert a molecule from one isomer to another.

Oxidoreductases
Ox-dough to Red-duck

Oxidoreductase enzymes catalyze oxidation and reduction reactions. This is the transfer of electrons (e-) from the oxidized molecule to the reduced molecule. Common names include dehydrogenase, reductase and oxidase.

Ligases
Lion-tiger-ass

Ligase enzymes catalyze the joining of two larger molecules by forming a chemical bond.

DOWNLOAD PDF

Recommended Picmonics

picmonic thumbnail
Non-Competitive Inhibition

Take the Enzyme Types Quiz

Picmonic's rapid review multiple-choice quiz allows you to assess your knowledge.

It's worth every penny

Picmonic for Pre-Health Covers

Our Story Mnemonics Increase Mastery and Retention

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Unforgettable characters with concise but impactful videos (2-4 min each)

Memorize facts with phonetic mnemonics

Ace Your Pre-Health Classes & Exams with Picmonic:

Over 1,990,000 students use Picmonic’s picture mnemonics to improve knowledge, retention, and exam performance.

Choose the #1 Pre-Health student study app.

Picmonic for Pre-Health covers information that is relevant to your entire Pre-Health education. Whether you’re studying for your classes or getting ready to conquer the MCAT, we’re here to help.

Works better than traditional Pre-Health flashcards.

Research shows that students who use Picmonic see a 331% improvement in memory retention and a 50% improvement in test scores.