Final answer:
There are two primary theories regarding how enzymes function: the lock and key theory and the induced fit model. These theories are refined through experiments and observations within the scientific method, where hypotheses are formed, tested, and potentially developed into theories supported by evidence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Scientifically, there are two different theories or ways they try to understand how enzymes work. The two theories are the lock and key theory and the induced fit model. To understand these theories, scientists use various methods including experiments and observations. A hypothesis is a tentative explanation for scientific observations that can be tested through experiments. In contrast, a theory is a set of scientific explanations that has been supported by multiple experiments and is widely accepted. Scientific knowledge often begins as a hypothesis, which, after being subjected to rigorous testing and experimentation, may become a theory when it is confirmed and broadly accepted by the scientific community.
For instance, a scientist may design and perform experiments to test the effectiveness of an enzyme by observing how it catalyzes a reaction under controlled conditions. By systematically changing one variable at a time and making careful observations, the scientist can gather evidence to support or refute various hypotheses about how the enzyme functions. This process is a fundamental aspect of the scientific method, which includes making observations, formulating hypotheses, and designing experiments in iterative cycles that build upon one another to expand scientific understanding.