Why are enzymes specific to certain substrates?

The binding pocket of an enzyme, also known as the active site, is essentially like a keyhole in that only the proper substrate structure (key) will fit and function. It is typically evolutionarily conserved and specific for a given substrate.

Enzymes are specific to certain substrates due to the precise shape of their active sites, which only allow substrates with complementary shapes to bind. This specificity ensures that enzymes only catalyze specific reactions, increasing efficiency and preventing unwanted side reactions.

Enzymes are specific to certain substrates due to the precise three-dimensional structure of the enzyme's active site, which is complementary to the structure of its specific substrate molecules. This specificity arises from the precise arrangement of amino acids within the active site, allowing only certain substrates to fit into the active site and undergo the chemical reactions catalyzed by the enzyme. This specificity ensures that enzymes catalyze only the reactions for which they are designed, preventing unwanted side reactions and ensuring the efficiency and accuracy of biochemical processes.