Enzymes are proteins specialised in carrying out a specific function. There is an active site in
the enzyme molecules. Due largely to the strong folding of the polypeptide chains, they are
typically spherical. They are soluble, too, and they also have metabolic functions. An
example may be that some enzymes specialize in the breaking down of large food
molecules, while some enzymes are also specialised in the synthesis of large food
molecules. Some enzymes have functions of a biological catalyst. They are molecules of
protein with an active site that have a particular shape. The enzyme's active site would be
where the substrate molecule binds to the enzyme. Due to their particular tertiary
structure, it has been shown that the enzymes are very specific.
There are also side chains in the enzymes that help to stabilise the structure. One of the side
chains of amino acids is termed as the 'amine group,' which is the protein group that
includes a nitrogen element. There is also a group called a carboxyl group and a R group that
all help to stabilise the structure. These amino acid side chains support the three-
dimensional form of the enzyme. Because of the R group, the amino acid side chains often
appear to produce an active site, which is the group component that often changes and
produces a variety of enzymes. The amino acid side chains keep together the particular
tertiary structure and in between the polypeptide chains they also hold the hydrogen bonds.
The shape of its active site can change if enzymes are exposed to extremes of pH or high
temperatures. If this occurs, the substrate will not fit into the enzymes anymore. This
implies that the lock would no longer suit the key. This is called the denaturation of an
enzyme.
Lock and key model:
The 'lock and key model was created early on by scientists, which reflected the concept of
how enzymes and substrate come together to form a product i.e. an enzyme-substrate
complex. A very brief description of how the substrate and the enzyme fit into each other
is the same way a lock and key might do so.
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