Chapter 6, Problem 14STP

Summary Introduction

To write:

The reason why it is important that enzymes can bind only to specific substrates.

Introduction:

Enzymes are protein molecules that specifically speed up the rate of virtually all of the chemical reactions that take place within cells.  Enzymes are highly selective catalysts, because each enzyme only speeds up a particular reaction.

Explanation of Solution

An enzyme binds to its substrate and it forms an enzyme-substrate complex. This complex lowers the activation energy of the reaction and promotes its rapid progression via way of means of supplying positive ions or chemical groups that really forms covalent bonds with molecules as an important step of the reaction process. Enzymes are specific because enzymes use binding energy to decrease the activation energy of the reaction. The more specific the enzyme, the tighter that they can bind the transition state, the faster the reaction rate.

Conclusion

Enzymes are specific because enzymes use binding energy to reduce the activation energy of the reaction. So, it is important that enzymes can bind only to specific substrates.