Connie K. answered • 09/27/20
Making Microbiology Figureoutable
Ok, so first let's understand what an enzyme is. It's a protein that acts as a biological catalyst. What does that mean? A catalyst is a substance that enables a reaction to take place more easily by lowering the energy of activaton, but is itself unchanged by the reaction. An enzyme makes a possible reaction easier by lowering the amount of energy (energy of activation) it takes for the reaction to proceed. The substrate is the reactant, the altered substrate (post reaction) is the product.
An analogy that might make sense is that it takes a lot of time and energy, but it is possible in the big city of New York, for Gina and Frank (substrates) to meet (the reaction) and become a couple (product). The enzyme is like a matchmaker. It makes it easier for the reaction (meeting) to occur. Let's further this analogy and discuss the lock and key vs. induced fit hypothesis. The lock and key hypothesis says that an enzyme is very specific and the reactants must fit perfectly--neither the reactants nor the enzyme has to change conformation for the reaction to occur, as if the matchmaker were some kind of bot and any potential couple that didn't check 99% of the boxes on a compatability quiz can't come to the matchmaker's coffehouse (the active site). The induced fit hypothesis says that the reactants and the enzymes both slightly change their conformation in order for the reaction to occur. The Matchmaker might get on the phone ant tell Frank he should be clean-shaven, and tell Gina she should bring her puppy when they come to the coffee house. I realize this analogy isn't really perfect and might be a little silly, but I hope it helps with the concept.
Connie
