Substrates bind to a specific region of an enzyme known as the active site. The active site is typically a pocket or groove on the enzyme's surface that has a shape and chemical environment complementary to the substrate. The binding occurs through various interactions, including hydrogen bonds, ionic bonds, hydrophobic interactions, and Van der Waals forces.
The specificity of substrate binding is often described by the lock and key model or the induced fit model:
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Lock and Key Model: This model suggests that the enzyme's active site (the "lock") is a perfect fit for the substrate (the "key"), allowing for the substrate to bind without any alterations to the enzyme's structure.
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Induced Fit Model: This model proposes that the active site is flexible and can change shape to better accommodate the substrate upon binding, enhancing the enzyme's ability to catalyze the reaction.
Once the substrate binds, it can be transformed into products through the enzyme's catalytic action.
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