word
Substrate Specificity
SUB-strayt speh-SIF-ih-SIT-ee
/ˈsʌbstreɪt spɛˈsɪfɪsɪtiː/Listen
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Syllable breakdown
SubstrateSpecificity
Dictionary meaning
The property of an enzyme that allows it to catalyze a reaction with only one or a very limited range of substrates. This selectivity arises from the precise geometric and chemical complementarity between the enzyme's active site and the substrate molecule, described by the lock-and-key or induced-fit models.
Examples
- The enzyme's high substrate specificity made it a useful tool for selective biosynthesis.
- Researchers exploited substrate specificity to engineer enzymes that process non-natural compounds.
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