Which class of enzymes catalyzes hydrolysis reactions?

Hydrolases are the class of enzymes specifically responsible for catalyzing hydrolysis reactions, which involve the breakdown of complex molecules into simpler ones through the addition of water. This process typically results in the cleavage of chemical bonds, often leading to the formation of two or more products from a single reactant.

Hydrolases play vital roles in various biological processes, such as digestion, where enzymes like amylase help break down carbohydrates into their sugar constituents, or proteases that digest proteins into amino acids. Their function is crucial in metabolic pathways where the modification of biomolecules occurs via the addition of water.

The other enzyme classes mentioned have distinct roles: ligases catalyze the joining of two molecules with the simultaneous hydrolysis of a high-energy bond (like ATP), isomerases facilitate the rearrangement of atoms within a molecule without adding or removing elements, and transferases move a functional group from one molecule to another. Each of these classes serves unique functions in biological processes that do not specifically involve hydrolysis, thereby highlighting why hydrolases are the appropriate choice for catalyzing hydrolysis reactions.