Biology – 5.1 Enzymes | e-Consult

(Diagram would be inserted here. Due to limitations, I cannot generate a visual diagram. However, the description below outlines what the diagram should contain.)

Diagram Description: The diagram should show an enzyme (represented as a 3D shape) with a clearly defined active site. A substrate (also a 3D shape) should be shown approaching the enzyme and binding to the active site. The enzyme-substrate complex (a new 3D shape formed by the interaction of the enzyme and substrate) should be depicted. Products should be shown being released from the enzyme-substrate complex.

Labels and Roles:

• Enzyme: The biological catalyst. It provides a specific active site for the substrate to bind.
• Active Site: The region on the enzyme where the substrate binds. Its shape is complementary to the substrate.
• Substrate: The molecule upon which the enzyme acts. Its shape is complementary to the active site.
• Enzyme-Substrate Complex: The temporary complex formed when the substrate binds to the active site. This complex facilitates the chemical reaction.
• Products: The molecules formed as a result of the enzymatic reaction. They are released from the enzyme-substrate complex.

The shape complementarity between the active site and the substrate is essential for catalysis. It allows for the formation of a stable enzyme-substrate complex, which lowers the activation energy of the reaction and speeds up the rate of product formation. The specific arrangement of amino acid residues within the active site provides the chemical environment necessary for the reaction to occur.