Page 180 - The Manga Guide to Biochemistry

Enzyme classifications Mmm...just like dividing
foods into groups
Although our bodies contain based on their
a huge variety of enzymes, characteristics!

they can be divided into a Starches? Veggies?
smaller number of general Meats?
Desserts!
groups based on shared
characteristics.

enzyme

enzyme enzyme

enzyme

Enzymes are
classified by their
different types of
catalytic reactions.

They are divided
into six major

groups.

Each enzyme is assigned a number called a is 1 to 6 since it represents six
the EC Number (Enzyme Commission major groups.
Number),* which looks like this: b and c represent the reaction
patterns of each group in more
EC a.b.c.d (where a, b, c, Fill in the detail.
and d are numbers) numbers here. d is an enzyme-specific number.

Group Reaction Characteristic
Number patterns in number
(1 to 6) more detail

By the way, That’s not
EC numbers so hard!
are the same
worldwide.

* A newly discovered enzyme is assigned an EC number and system name as well as a recommended name
according to standards determined by the Enzyme Commission of the International Union of Biochemistry
and Molecular Biology (IUBMB).