Answer to Question #74392 in Cell Biology for aditya

Question

Explain the characteristics of enzyme and mechanism of its action.

Answer 1

Most enzymes are proteins, which determines their characteristics. They are sensitive to temperature and pH. At the same time, they are specific to their substrates. The mechanism of action of enzymes is best explained by the induced-fit hypothesis. Interaction with the substrate changes the active site of enzyme in such a way that it becomes the most specific to intermediate of substrate-product reaction. It results in corresponding changes in the substrate molecule, which leads to formation of unstable intermediate, which turns into product. As the latter is characterized by relatively low specificity to active site, it is released, while the enzyme returns into its previous configuration.