Substrates

Definition

Substrates are the specific reactants that an enzyme acts upon during a biochemical reaction. They bind to the enzyme's active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex that facilitates the reaction.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Substrates bind to the enzyme's active site through a lock-and-key or induced fit model.
2. The specificity of an enzyme for its substrate is due to the unique shape and chemical properties of the active site.
3. Once bound, substrates are converted into products through catalytic action of the enzyme.
4. Temperature, pH, and substrate concentration can affect the rate at which enzymes catalyze reactions with substrates.
5. Inhibition of enzymes can occur when molecules similar to substrates compete for binding at the active site or alter its shape.

Review Questions

• What role do substrates play in enzymatic reactions?
• How does an enzyme recognize and bind its specific substrate?
• What factors influence the interaction between an enzyme and its substrate?

Related terms

Enzyme: A protein that acts as a catalyst to speed up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy.

Active Site: The region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

Catalysis: The acceleration of a chemical reaction by a catalyst, in this case, an enzyme.