What happens to denatured enzyme? Explain the reason with the help of the lock and key model.
-i can explain for the denatured enzyme but how can i expalin it in term of the lock and key model....
The lock and key model is a useful analogy to understand how enzymes interact with their substrates. In this model, the enzyme is represented as a lock, and the substrate is represented as a key that fits into the lock perfectly. When the key (substrate) enters the lock (enzyme), it undergoes a specific reaction that results in the production of a product.
Now, let's consider what happens when an enzyme becomes denatured. Denaturation refers to the alteration of the enzyme's structure, which can be caused by various factors such as changes in temperature, pH, or exposure to certain chemicals. In denatured enzymes, the three-dimensional structure becomes distorted, leading to a loss of the specifically shaped active site, where the substrate usually binds.
Using the lock and key analogy, when the enzyme becomes denatured, the lock's structure is no longer able to fit the key (substrate) properly. The distortion in the enzyme's structure prevents the substrate from binding to the active site and undergoing the intended reaction. This loss of specific shape in the active site compromises the enzyme's functionality, rendering it inactive or significantly reducing its catalytic efficiency.
Therefore, to answer your question, when an enzyme becomes denatured, it loses its specific shape, including the active site, which prevents it from effectively binding to its substrate, just like a distorted lock cannot properly accommodate its corresponding key.