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Multiple Choice
What is produced by the binding of reactants (substrates) to an enzyme?
A
Allosteric inhibitor
B
Product
C
Enzyme-substrate complex
D
Cofactor
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the role of enzymes in biochemical reactions: Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy. They bind to specific reactants, called substrates, at their active site.
Learn about the enzyme-substrate complex: When substrates bind to the enzyme's active site, they form a temporary intermediate structure called the enzyme-substrate complex. This is a crucial step in the catalytic process.
Clarify the function of the enzyme-substrate complex: The enzyme-substrate complex facilitates the conversion of substrates into products by stabilizing the transition state and reducing the energy barrier for the reaction.
Differentiate between the options provided: An allosteric inhibitor binds to a site other than the active site and reduces enzyme activity. A cofactor is a non-protein molecule that assists enzyme function. The correct answer, enzyme-substrate complex, is the intermediate formed during substrate binding.
Conclude the reasoning: The binding of reactants (substrates) to an enzyme results in the formation of the enzyme-substrate complex, which is essential for the catalytic process to proceed.