Individual enzymes are named by adding the suffix "-ase" to the name of the substrate with which the enzyme reacts. An example of this method is the enzyme amylase, which controls the breakdown of amylose (starch). There are categories of enzymes that control certain reactions. Hydrolases control hydrolytic reactions; proteinases control protein breakdown; synthetases control synthesis reactions. There are exceptions: trypsin and pepsin, both digestive enzymes that breakdown protein, retain the names used before the modern form of nomenclature was adopted.

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