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A substrate molecule will only fit into the active site if it is a complimentary shape. Also the amino acids that make up an enzyme have positively and negatively charged chemical groups so in orderr for a substrate to fit its active site any electrical charges on the substrate molecule must not be repelled by like charges on the enzyme so the charged groups on the enzyme molecule and substrate molecule must attract one another

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Q: Give 2 explanations for the fact that only certain substrate molecules will fit into this part of the enzyme molecule?
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Are Enzymes specific to particular molecules?

Enzymes are proteins that catalyse (speed up) a reaction. They are very specific; enzymes will only bind a very specific molecule (or molecules containing a very specific chemical group). They normally have no effect on molecules that are not their substrate (the specific type of molecule they can interact with). Enzymes work because they have a specific shape and an 'active site'. The active site is the part of the enzyme that will bind its substrate and it may be charged in specific places so that it attracts and binds tightly to the substrate. Because the active site is the right shape and charge for the substrate, it can bind it efficiently and when it does this it causes the enzyme to change shape and catalyse a chemical reaction. Other molecules that are the wrong size, shape or charge will simply not fit into the active site or will be repelled, so the enzyme doesn't affect them. Some enzymes contain complex metal ions at their active site which help create the right conditions to bind the substrate, by adding a certain charge in a certain place. Enzymes can be 'fooled' by molecules of a very similar size, shape and charge as their normal substrate. Many toxins work in this way, by being similar to a certain molecule that the enzyme normally binds to. The toxins cause a problem because they are slightly different from the actual substrate and so don't react but just occupy the active site permanently or until they fall out. This means that the enzyme is useless.


Does enzymes catalyze specific chemical reactions because the shape of their active site allows only certain substrate molecules to enter?

Yes.


Why will only certain substrate molecules fit into the active site?

It will only bind with the enzymes active site of the shapes are complimentary and enzymes are very specific


What is catalyzed by enzymes?

reactions in which enzymes are involved as catalysts.


How do you change molecular orientation?

Introducing certain enzymes could change the orientation of a molecule, otherwise molecules must collide in the proper direction. And, it depends on what the molecules are from.

Related questions

The specificity of an enzyme is due to its active siteThe active site is a shape only a certain?

An enzyme's active site will bind with only a specific substrate. Any other kind of substrate will be rejected by the active site.


Are Enzymes specific to particular molecules?

Enzymes are proteins that catalyse (speed up) a reaction. They are very specific; enzymes will only bind a very specific molecule (or molecules containing a very specific chemical group). They normally have no effect on molecules that are not their substrate (the specific type of molecule they can interact with). Enzymes work because they have a specific shape and an 'active site'. The active site is the part of the enzyme that will bind its substrate and it may be charged in specific places so that it attracts and binds tightly to the substrate. Because the active site is the right shape and charge for the substrate, it can bind it efficiently and when it does this it causes the enzyme to change shape and catalyse a chemical reaction. Other molecules that are the wrong size, shape or charge will simply not fit into the active site or will be repelled, so the enzyme doesn't affect them. Some enzymes contain complex metal ions at their active site which help create the right conditions to bind the substrate, by adding a certain charge in a certain place. Enzymes can be 'fooled' by molecules of a very similar size, shape and charge as their normal substrate. Many toxins work in this way, by being similar to a certain molecule that the enzyme normally binds to. The toxins cause a problem because they are slightly different from the actual substrate and so don't react but just occupy the active site permanently or until they fall out. This means that the enzyme is useless.


Substrate molecules bind to enzymes where?

The bind in the active site.


Why do enzymes usually only work on one substrate (or group of closely related substrates)?

Only certain molecules can fit into the active site of the enzyme.


Does enzymes catalyze specific chemical reactions because the shape of their active site allows only certain substrate molecules to enter?

Yes.


Why will only certain substrate molecules fit into the active site?

It will only bind with the enzymes active site of the shapes are complimentary and enzymes are very specific


What is catalyzed by enzymes?

reactions in which enzymes are involved as catalysts.


How do you change molecular orientation?

Introducing certain enzymes could change the orientation of a molecule, otherwise molecules must collide in the proper direction. And, it depends on what the molecules are from.


what is a substrate in an enzyme?

A substrate is when the enzyme can only join onto certain substances


Are water molecules made up individual water molecules?

no. atoms are the basic blocks. atoms fit together in certain ways to create molecules. Water is made up of two hydrogen molecules and one oxygen molecule.


How a vibrating co2 molecule can lead to global warming?

When infrared rays hit certain molecules, like the co2 molecule, it would start to vibrate, which will cause kinetic energy and heat.


If Pectinase only breaks down pectin and It has no effect in cellulose What term is used to describe this characteristic of enzymes?

Enzymes are substrate specific; meaning that their active site only allows for a certain substrate to bind - in this case, pectin, and the enzyme has no effect on any other biological molecules