The diagram below shows an enzyme and its substrate.
How does the structure of this enzyme help with its function?
A.
The enzyme's shape fits its substrate's shape, thus allowing the enzyme to catalyze the appropriate reaction.
B.
The enzyme's substrate is a mirror image of the enzyme, thus allowing it to reverse any reactions initiated by the enzyme.
C.
The enzyme's active site can change shape in order to match any substrates in need of a catalyst.
D.
The enzyme is much larger than its substrate, thus allowing the catalyzed chemical reaction to take place inside the enzyme.
A. The enzyme's shape fits its substrate's shape, thus allowing the enzyme to catalyze the appropriate reaction.
This is the correct answer. The structure of an enzyme is specifically shaped to fit its substrate, allowing for a precise and efficient catalysis of the reaction. This complementary shape is known as the lock-and-key model of enzyme-substrate interaction.