The lock-and-key hypothesis

• Enzymes are?globular proteins
• This means their?shape?(as well as the shape of the?active site?of an enzyme) is determined by the complex tertiary structure of the protein that makes up the enzyme and is therefore?highly specific
• In the 1890’s the first model of enzyme activity was described by Emil Fischer:
  • He suggested that both enzymes and substrates were?rigid structures?that?locked?into each other very?precisely, much like a key going into a lock
  • This is known as the ‘lock-and-key hypothesis’
• This was later?modified?and?adapted?to our current understanding of enzyme activity, permitted by advances in techniques in the molecular sciences

The lock-and-key hypothesis

The induced-fit hypothesis

• The?modified?model?of enzyme activity is known as the ‘induced-fit hypothesis’
• Although it is very similar to the lock and key hypothesis, in this model the enzyme and substrate?interact?with each other:
  • The enzyme and its active site (and sometimes the substrate) can?change shape?slightly as the substrate molecule enters the enzyme
  • These changes in shape are known as?conformational changes
  • This ensures an?ideal binding arrangement?between the enzyme and substrate is achieved
  • This?maximises the ability of the enzyme to catalyse the reaction

The induced-fit hypothesis