szubsztrátspecifikussága

Substrate specificity refers to the ability of an enzyme to catalyze a reaction with only one or a very limited number of related substrates. This selective binding is primarily determined by the three-dimensional structure of the enzyme's active site. The active site is a specific region on the enzyme molecule where the substrate binds and the chemical reaction takes place. The shape, size, and chemical properties of the amino acid residues lining the active site are precisely complementary to those of the substrate, much like a lock and key.

This complementarity ensures that only the correct substrate can fit into the active site and form the necessary interactions for catalysis. If a molecule does not have the appropriate shape or chemical characteristics to bind to the active site, it will not be acted upon by the enzyme. This specificity is crucial for maintaining order within biological systems, preventing unwanted side reactions, and ensuring that metabolic pathways proceed in a controlled manner. Different enzymes exhibit varying degrees of specificity, from broad specificity, where they can act on a range of similar molecules, to absolute specificity, where they will only act on a single unique substrate.