Describe 2 mechanisms of enzyme action?

1. Lock and key model: In this mechanism, the enzyme and substrate molecules fit together like a lock and key. The active site of the enzyme has a specific shape that only allows the substrate molecule to bind to it if the shapes are complementary. Once the substrate binds to the active site, the enzyme undergoes a conformational change that facilitates the chemical reaction to occur, resulting in the formation of the product. This mechanism ensures that only specific substrates can bind to the enzyme, increasing the specificity of the reaction.

2. Induced fit model: In this mechanism, the enzyme and substrate molecules do not initially fit perfectly together. Instead, when the substrate binds to the enzyme, the enzyme undergoes a conformational change to better accommodate the substrate molecule. This induced fit helps to bring the reactive groups of the enzyme and substrate closer together, promoting the formation of the product. This mechanism allows for a more flexible and dynamic interaction between the enzyme and substrate, increasing the efficiency of the reaction.