What reaction type does carbonic anhydrase catalyze?

Carbonic anhydrase catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into bicarbonate and protons, a reaction crucial for maintaining acid-base balance in the body. This reaction falls under the category of addition or cleavage reactions. Specifically, the enzyme facilitates the addition of water to carbon dioxide, resulting in the formation of a carbonic acid intermediate, which subsequently dissociates to produce bicarbonate and protons.

The nature of the reaction shows that carbonic anhydrase aids in breaking down carbon dioxide into bicarbonate, which can be considered a cleavage of the carbon-dioxide molecule's regulatory roles in physiological processes. This unique action highlights the enzyme's ability to facilitate either the addition of water to a substrate or the cleavage of that substrate into products, fitting it into the broader class of addition or cleavage reactions.

In contrast, other reaction types provided in the choices like isomerization, hydrolysis, and group transfer do not accurately describe the specific enzymatic activity of carbonic anhydrase, as they involve different mechanisms and substrate interactions that are not characteristic of its catalytic function.