Question

1. an enzyme and four different molecules are shown in the diagram below. the enzyme would most likely affect reactions involving (1) molecule a, only (2) molecule c, only (3) molecules b and d (4) molecules a and c 2. base your answers to questions 2 through 4 on the diagram below that represents a human enzyme and four types of molecules present in a solution in a flask. which molecule would most likely react with the enzyme? explain your answer to question 2. what principle about how enzymes work does the question illustrate?

Explanation:

Enzymes are highly specific in their action and work based on the lock - and - key model. The active site of an enzyme has a specific shape that only fits certain substrates. In both diagrams, the molecule that has a shape complementary to the enzyme's active site will react with it. For the first question, molecule C has a shape that can fit into the enzyme's active site. For the second question, molecule D has a complementary shape to the enzyme's active site. The principle illustrated is the specificity of enzymes, where they only act on specific substrates that match their active - site shape.

Answer:

1. (2) molecule C, only
2. D
3. The principle of enzyme - substrate specificity (lock - and - key model) is illustrated. Enzymes have specific active sites and only substrates with complementary shapes can bind and react.