Answer:
Step-by-step explanation:
An enzyme-substrate complex is a temporary molecular structure formed when an enzyme interacts with its specific substrate(s). Enzymes are biological catalysts that facilitate and accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. They do this by binding to specific molecules called substrates and converting them into products.
The process of enzyme-substrate complex formation involves the following steps:
1. Recognition: The enzyme recognizes and binds to its specific substrate(s) due to the complementary shape and chemical properties between the active site of the enzyme and the substrate(s).
2. Binding: The enzyme and substrate(s) come together to form a temporary complex held together by various non-covalent interactions, such as hydrogen bonds, ionic interactions, and van der Waals forces. The region on the enzyme where the substrate binds is known as the active site.
3. Catalysis: Once the enzyme and substrate are in the complex, the enzyme facilitates the conversion of the substrate(s) into product(s) through the catalytic action of its active site. This process may involve the breaking or formation of chemical bonds within the substrate(s) to form the product(s).
4. Release of Products: After the catalytic reaction takes place, the products are released from the active site, and the enzyme returns to its original state, ready to bind to more substrate molecules and undergo the same process again.
It's important to note that enzymes are highly specific, meaning each enzyme typically interacts with one or a limited number of closely related substrates due to their unique active site shapes and chemical properties. This specificity allows enzymes to play a critical role in regulating and controlling biochemical reactions in cells.