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GCSE Biology · key term
The ability of an enzyme to catalyse only a particular reaction because only a substrate with a complementary shape can bind to its active site.
Used by Edexcel and OCR
Specification 1.7 · Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Mechanism of Enzyme ActionThis relationship is called enzyme specificity. It explains why cells require different enzymes for different reactions: the active site of each enzyme is suited to its particular substrate and reaction.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
The property by which an enzyme catalyses only a particular reaction, because only a substrate with a complementary shape can bind successfully to its active site.
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The model explains enzyme specificity. A differently shaped substrate cannot fit the active site closely enough to bind successfully, so that enzyme does not catalyse its reaction. The model is a useful representation rather than a claim that molecules are literally rigid locks and keys.