Enzyme actions

[helpneeded]

This is really embarassing but I dont know what a 'lock and key model' is (when refering to enzymes). Can anyone tell me?
thanks!

[mith]

substrate fits into an enzyme's active site like a key into a lock. Both substances are considered rigid.

[Darby]

It's a huge oversimplification, though - much of the time the interaction of the substrate and enzymes changes the shape of one or both. That's where the enzyme's action often comes from.

[victor]

yep, there'll be proximity & orientation effect, acid-base catalysis, covalent catalysis, ionic interaction and enviromental influence effect.....
not as easy as you put the key into the lock....

[Dustfinger]

But it's just amodel, and models never do really describe reality.

[mith]

There's also electrical and van de waals forces involved too, the lock and key model ignores all this.