ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the factors that may account for the efficiency of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Separating the active site into binding and transforming loci does not exclude binding from contributing to the activation energy required for substrate to be converted to product. There is little in the conformation of the active site that is complementary to the substrate structure. Some approximations have been used in the calculation, but it is encouraging to see that at least in one case, the marked efficiency of an enzyme can be accounted for by experimentally sound factors. Small changes in structure of a substrate molecule may lead to inability of an enzyme to convert the compound to products. A substance meet the very rigid restrictions of structure as imposed by the enzyme before it is bound into the binding locus. There are distinct recognition areas within the binding locus. The chapter shows some proposed binding modes of substrate in the active-site of carboxypeptidase A.
