Reaktionssubstrat

Reaktionssubstrat refers to the molecule or molecules upon which an enzyme acts. In biological and chemical reactions catalyzed by enzymes, the substrate is the specific substance that binds to the enzyme's active site. This binding initiates a chemical transformation, converting the substrate into one or more products. The interaction between the enzyme and its substrate is often described by models like the lock-and-key model or the induced-fit model. The lock-and-key model suggests a rigid active site that perfectly matches the shape of the substrate. The induced-fit model proposes that the active site can change its conformation slightly upon substrate binding, leading to a tighter fit and facilitating the catalytic process. Enzymes are highly specific, meaning that each enzyme typically catalyzes only one or a very limited range of reactions involving specific substrates. The concentration of the substrate is a crucial factor influencing the rate of an enzymatic reaction. At low substrate concentrations, the reaction rate increases proportionally with substrate concentration. However, as substrate concentration increases, the enzyme becomes saturated, meaning all active sites are occupied, and the reaction rate reaches a maximum velocity. Understanding the nature of the reaktionssubstrat is fundamental to comprehending enzyme kinetics and metabolic pathways.