Final answer:
In the induced-fit model of enzyme action, a substrate associates with the enzyme's active site, where the enzyme's conformation undergoes changes to achieve an ideal fit and reaction conditions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the induced-fit model of enzymes, a substrate associates with the active site of an enzyme.
Understanding the induced-fit model begins with the substrate approaching the enzyme. Substrates bind to the enzyme's active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex (a) and (b). The enzyme then undergoes conformational changes (c) to better accommodate the substrate, enhancing the reaction by correctly orienting the substrate towards its transition state. Finally, the reaction products are released, and the enzyme returns to its original form, ready to catalyze another reaction (d).
This model illustrates how enzyme flexibility allows active sites to adjust their shape for different substrates while maintaining specificity, with only certain substrates fitting into the active site. This is due to the enzyme's ability to undergo dynamic structural adjustments, ensuring a precise interaction between the enzyme and the substrate, which facilitates the catalytic process.