Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) catalyzes the following reaction. To what class of enzymes does ADH belong? <IMAGE>

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the type of reaction catalyzed by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH).
2. Recognize that ADH catalyzes the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones.
3. Understand that oxidation reactions involve the removal of hydrogen atoms or the addition of oxygen.
4. Recall that enzymes that catalyze oxidation-reduction reactions are classified as oxidoreductases.
5. Conclude that ADH belongs to the class of oxidoreductases.

Key Concepts

Enzyme Classification

Enzymes are classified into six main categories based on the type of reaction they catalyze. These categories include oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, lyases, isomerases, and ligases. Understanding this classification helps in identifying the specific function and mechanism of enzymes like alcohol dehydrogenase.

Oxidoreductases

Oxidoreductases are a class of enzymes that facilitate oxidation-reduction reactions, where the transfer of electrons occurs between molecules. Alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) specifically catalyzes the conversion of alcohols to aldehydes or ketones, involving the reduction of NAD+ to NADH, which is a hallmark of oxidoreductase activity.

Substrate Specificity

Substrate specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to selectively catalyze a reaction for a particular substrate. In the case of alcohol dehydrogenase, its specificity for alcohols allows it to effectively convert ethanol into acetaldehyde, demonstrating how enzymes are tailored to interact with specific molecules in biochemical pathways.