Enzymes are important biological molecules found in living systems. Early attempts at purifying enzymes were made in the 1920s. Methods are needed to isolate enzymes for further study and applications. Common methods to isolate enzymes include breaking open cell walls through grinding, freezing and thawing, using hydrolytic enzymes, blending, altering pH or ionic strength, and using organic solvents. Further purification techniques include centrifugation, gel filtration chromatography, affinity chromatography, and changing solubility through pH or salt concentration. Specific methods have also been developed for isolating individual enzymes like urease and pepsin.