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
- The shape and chemical environment of the active site are complementary to the substrate, ensuring specificity.
- Active sites can facilitate chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy required.
- Mutations in genes encoding enzymes can alter the active site's structure, potentially affecting enzyme function.
- Enzyme inhibitors can bind to the active site, blocking substrate access and reducing enzyme activity.
- 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?
"Active site" appears in:
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.
