key term - Active site

Definition

The active site is the specific region on an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. It is characterized by its unique arrangement of amino acids that create a highly selective and efficient catalyst for biological transformations.

Related terms

Substrate:

The reactant molecule that binds to the active site of an enzyme and is transformed into a product during a biochemical reaction.

Enzyme specificity: The concept that each enzyme catalyzes only one kind of reaction due to the shape and characteristics of its active site, akin to a lock-and-key mechanism.

Catalyst:

A substance that increases the rate of a chemical reaction without itself undergoing any permanent chemical change, often used in laboratory reactions to accelerate processes similarly to enzymes in biological systems