Approximately how many classes of hydrolases have been described?

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Multiple Choice

Approximately how many classes of hydrolases have been described?

Hydrolases are a huge and diverse group of enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis—breaking bonds by adding water. In the enzyme classification system, each distinct enzyme with a specific substrate and reaction gets its own entry, so as scientists identify new hydrolytic activities across different organisms, the number of described hydrolases grows quickly. Today there are more than 200 described hydrolase classes, reflecting the wide variety of substrates they act on—proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, phosphates, esters, and more. That breadth is why the best choice is “more than 200 classes.” The other options underestimate or overstate the diversity, given how many distinct hydrolytic reactions are known.

Hydrolases are a huge and diverse group of enzymes that catalyze hydrolysis—breaking bonds by adding water. In the enzyme classification system, each distinct enzyme with a specific substrate and reaction gets its own entry, so as scientists identify new hydrolytic activities across different organisms, the number of described hydrolases grows quickly. Today there are more than 200 described hydrolase classes, reflecting the wide variety of substrates they act on—proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, phosphates, esters, and more. That breadth is why the best choice is “more than 200 classes.” The other options underestimate or overstate the diversity, given how many distinct hydrolytic reactions are known.

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