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Body Weight and Health
Chapter 4, Problem 1

What is meant by the term induced fit?

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1
Understand that the term 'induced fit' refers to a model explaining how enzymes function.
Recognize that enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body without being consumed in the process.
Learn that the induced fit model suggests that the binding of the substrate to the enzyme causes a change in the shape of the enzyme, enhancing the fit between the enzyme and the substrate.
Realize that this change in shape is crucial as it brings chemical groups in the active site of the enzyme into positions that are optimal for catalyzing the chemical reaction.
Acknowledge that after the reaction, the products are released from the enzyme, which then returns to its original shape, ready to catalyze another reaction.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Induced Fit Model

The induced fit model describes how enzymes and substrates interact. Unlike the lock-and-key model, which suggests a perfect fit, the induced fit model posits that the enzyme's active site undergoes a conformational change upon substrate binding. This flexibility enhances the enzyme's ability to catalyze reactions, as the active site molds itself around the substrate, improving the fit and facilitating the chemical reaction.
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Enzyme-Substrate Interaction

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy. The interaction between an enzyme and its substrate is crucial for catalysis. The substrate binds to the enzyme's active site, and the induced fit model illustrates how this binding can alter the enzyme's shape, optimizing the reaction process and increasing efficiency.
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Conformational Change

Conformational change refers to the alteration in the shape of a protein, such as an enzyme, in response to binding with another molecule, like a substrate. This change is essential for the function of many proteins, as it can activate or deactivate their activity. In the context of the induced fit model, the conformational change allows the enzyme to better accommodate the substrate, leading to a more effective catalytic process.
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