answersLogoWhite

0

Lock and key is an analogy of enzyme catalysis in a cellular reaction. The lock and key are compared directly to the substrate and enzyme, because of the high specificity of their physical shape.

Enzymes participate in the reaction they catalyze.

The reactant molecule (substrate) binds to the enzyme molecule at a particular location called the active site. (this is compared to the lock with keyhole)

The highly specific nature of an enzyme is due to very precisely defined arrangement of atoms in the active site(again, this is the lock in the analogy). The substrate molecule must have a matching shape (here is the key) that will fit into the active site.

The bond breaking and bond forming processes that transform the substrate into products occur while the substrate is bound to the active site of enzyme.

In other words its something like a jigsaw puzzle where the substrate fits into the enzyme. The reaction occurs and the substrate then leaves the enzyme as products.

( Not my work. Found it on Yahoo Answers.....Do not give me credit...Thought I should do this to help people out =] )

Edited answer for readability and clarity - thanks!

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Natural Sciences
Related Questions

What is considered a model for enzyme?

the answer is lock and key model .


What effect does the lock and key process have on the enzyme structure?

Easily Explained thusly: When the key is in the lock the Enzyme has one Structure, and when the key is not in the lock the Enzyme has another Structure. Note that the presence of a key may either activate or deactivate an Enzyme, depending upon the conditions.


In the lock and key method which is the lock?

The Key is the substrate while the key is the enzyme. Just finished learning this :)


How is a substrate and its enzyme like a lock and key?

A substrate and its enzyme are like a lock and key because they have specific shapes that fit together perfectly. Just like a key must fit exactly into a lock to open it, the substrate must fit into the enzyme's active site for a reaction to occur. This specific interaction ensures that only the correct substrate is acted upon by the enzyme.


What are all the enzymes that use the lock and key model?

ALL enzymes use the lock and key model!


What is the term for an enzyme catalyzes only one type of reaction?

It is called a lock and key mechanism.Actually is more than one word. It is called a lock and key mechanism. Only one key can unlock one lock.


What provides the best model to illustrate the way an enzyme interacts with a substrate molecule?

The lock-and-key model provides a useful illustration of how an enzyme interacts with a substrate molecule. In this model, the enzyme's active site is complementary in shape to the substrate, similar to a key fitting into a lock. This specificity allows for efficient catalysis of the reaction.


The lock and key hypothesis attempts to explain the mechanism of?

enzyme specificity


What is the name of the theory that describes how an enzyme works?

Lock and Key hypothesis


When enzyme fits into substrate at an active site?

lock and key theory


What is key and lock theory?

It is when the enzyme (lock) fits exactly into the substrate (key) forming an enzyme substrate complex. It refers to enzymes and their substrates. The enzyme has an active site (lock) where the substrate that is complemetary fits in (key). Only substrates that fit perfectly into the enzymes active site will active the particular reaction, just like only 1 specific key will open a door.


What is the model of enzyme activity?

In a model of enzyme action, the enzyme can attach only to a substrate (reactant) with a specific shape. The enzyme then changes and reduces the activation energy of the reaction so reactants can become products. The enzyme is unchanged and is available to be used again.