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Multiple Choice
Examine the enzyme-substrate complex diagram shown below. Which statement about this enzyme diagram is correct?
A
The substrate binds to the enzyme's active site, forming an enzyme-substrate complex.
B
The enzyme is permanently altered after the reaction and cannot be reused.
C
The enzyme binds to the product, not the substrate, during the reaction.
D
The substrate changes the shape of the enzyme's active site irreversibly.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Begin by understanding the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions without being consumed or permanently altered in the process.
Step 2: Examine the concept of the enzyme-substrate complex. The substrate binds to the enzyme's active site, forming a temporary complex. This interaction is highly specific due to the complementary shapes of the enzyme and substrate.
Step 3: Clarify that enzymes are not permanently altered after the reaction. Once the reaction is complete, the enzyme releases the product and returns to its original state, ready to catalyze another reaction.
Step 4: Address the incorrect statement that the enzyme binds to the product instead of the substrate. The enzyme specifically binds to the substrate during the reaction, not the product.
Step 5: Explain that the substrate does not irreversibly change the shape of the enzyme's active site. While the active site may undergo a temporary conformational change (induced fit), it reverts to its original shape after the reaction is complete.