Three general types of enzymes make up the cellulase enzyme complex. Endocellulase breaks internal bonds to disrupt the crystalline structure of cellulose and expose individual cellulase polysaccharide chains. Exocellulase cleaves 2-4 units from the ends of the exposed chains produced by endocellulase, resulting in the tetrasaccharides or disaccharide such as cellobiose. Cellobiase or beta-glucosidase hydrolyses the endocellulase product into individual monosaccharides.
Within the above types there are also progressive and non-progressive types. Progressive cellulase will continue to interact with a single polysacchaide strand, non-progressive cellulase will interact once then disengage and engage another polysacchaide strand