Final answer:
The groove on an enzyme surface that accommodates a substrate is known as the active site. It is essential for enzyme function and can operate based on the lock-and-key or induced fit model of interaction.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pocket or groove on the enzyme surface into which substrate molecules fit is called the active site.
This location is significant for enzyme-substrate interaction and is crucial in the enzyme-catalyzed reaction process.
When a substrate molecule encounters an enzyme, it may bind to the enzyme's active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex.
There are two models describing how the active site interacts with the substrate: the lock-and-key model and the induced fit model.
The lock-and-key hypothesis suggests a perfect fit between the substrate and the active site, whereas the induced fit model allows for some flexibility, with the active site adjusting its shape slightly to accommodate the substrate, somewhat like a glove adjusting to fit a hand.