Answer
The general term for substances acted upon by enzymes is "substrates." Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts to facilitate specific chemical reactions. They interact with substrates in a highly specific manner, and this specificity is crucial for their function.
The relevance of active sites to enzyme action is that active sites are specific regions on the enzyme's surface where substrates bind and undergo chemical reactions. Active sites have a three-dimensional shape that matches the shape and chemical properties of the substrate molecules they act upon. This specific binding ensures that enzymes can catalyze particular reactions with precision.
Active sites limit the range of substances on which an enzyme can act because only substrates with a complementary shape and chemical properties can fit into the active site and form the enzyme-substrate complex necessary for the reaction to occur. Enzymes are highly selective due to their active sites, which means they can catalyze a specific reaction or a narrow range of similar reactions.
The name for this principle of selective enzyme action is "enzyme specificity." Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of enzymes to recognize and interact with specific substrates due to the complementary shapes and chemical properties of their active sites. This specificity is essential for maintaining the order of biochemical reactions in living organisms and ensuring that each reaction occurs efficiently and accurately.
Work Step by Step
The general term for substances acted upon by enzymes is "substrates." Enzymes are biological molecules that act as catalysts to facilitate specific chemical reactions. They interact with substrates in a highly specific manner, and this specificity is crucial for their function.
The relevance of active sites to enzyme action is that active sites are specific regions on the enzyme's surface where substrates bind and undergo chemical reactions. Active sites have a three-dimensional shape that matches the shape and chemical properties of the substrate molecules they act upon. This specific binding ensures that enzymes can catalyze particular reactions with precision.
Active sites limit the range of substances on which an enzyme can act because only substrates with a complementary shape and chemical properties can fit into the active site and form the enzyme-substrate complex necessary for the reaction to occur. Enzymes are highly selective due to their active sites, which means they can catalyze a specific reaction or a narrow range of similar reactions.
The name for this principle of selective enzyme action is "enzyme specificity." Enzyme specificity refers to the ability of enzymes to recognize and interact with specific substrates due to the complementary shapes and chemical properties of their active sites. This specificity is essential for maintaining the order of biochemical reactions in living organisms and ensuring that each reaction occurs efficiently and accurately.
