Active site

Definition

The active site is the specific region of an enzyme where a substrate binds and catalysis takes place. It is typically a pocket or groove on the enzyme's surface.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The shape and chemical environment of the active site are complementary to the substrate, ensuring specificity.
2. Active sites can facilitate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required.
3. Mutations in genes encoding enzymes can alter the active site's structure, potentially affecting enzyme function.
4. Enzyme inhibitors can bind to the active site, blocking substrate access and reducing enzyme activity.
5. Enzymes often undergo conformational changes upon substrate binding to form an enzyme-substrate complex.

Review Questions

• What role does the active site play in enzymatic reactions?
• How can mutations affect the function of an enzyme's active site?
• Why is specificity important for the interaction between an enzyme and its substrate?

Related terms

Substrate:

A molecule upon which an enzyme acts.

Enzyme-Substrate Complex: A temporary molecule formed when an enzyme comes into contact with its substrate.

Activation Energy:

The minimum quantity of energy needed for a chemical reaction to occur.