Human Physiology
Human Physiology
15th Edition
ISBN: 9781259864629
Author: Fox, Stuart Ira
Publisher: Mcgraw-hill Education,
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 4, Problem 1CP

Use the lock-and-key model to explain how enzymes function as catalysts.

Expert Solution & Answer
Check Mark
Summary Introduction

To review:

The lock and key model of enzyme functioning.

Introduction:

Catalysts are added to a reaction to increase or accelerate the rate of the reaction. They speed up the reaction by decreasing the activation energy. Enzymes are the type of proteins that act as catalysts in a biochemical reaction, hence called as biological catalysts or biocatalysts.

Explanation of Solution

Each enzyme has a particular three-dimensional shape. The pocket that is active in catalyzing a reaction is called the enzymes’ active site. The substrate of the enzyme fits into the active site of the enzyme. The enzyme is thought of as a lock in which only a specified shaped substrate called key can be inserted and this is called the lock-and-key model.

Enzymes are very specific to their substrates. Enzymes are proteins that serve as catalysts and accelerate a chemical reaction without altering its equilibrium. The substrates bind to the active site in the enzyme hence giving rise to an enzyme-substrate complex and the reaction takes place resulting in the formation of products.

Want to see more full solutions like this?

Subscribe now to access step-by-step solutions to millions of textbook problems written by subject matter experts!
Students have asked these similar questions
Explain the catalytic cycle of an enzyme and provide an example.
Explain why enzymes are considered “biological catalysts” Use the following terms in the explanation: activation energy, lock and key model, substrate specificity
List the 6 major groups of enzymes  giving an example of each in the form of an equation.

Chapter 4 Solutions

Human Physiology

Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Biology
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, biology and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780134580999
Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. Hoehn
Publisher:PEARSON
Text book image
Biology 2e
Biology
ISBN:9781947172517
Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann Clark
Publisher:OpenStax
Text book image
Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781259398629
Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa Stouter
Publisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
Text book image
Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9780815344322
Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter Walter
Publisher:W. W. Norton & Company
Text book image
Laboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & Physiology
Biology
ISBN:9781260159363
Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, Cynthia
Publisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.
Text book image
Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)
Biology
ISBN:9781260231700
Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael Windelspecht
Publisher:McGraw Hill Education
Nutrition and Diet - GCSE Biology (9-1); Author: Mr Exham Biology;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFE1DfAlipo;License: Standard Youtube License