Enzymes are biological catalysts that bind to the reactants, called 'substrates', and convert them into the products. Substrate binding sites, also called active sites, in enzymes are buried deep in the interior of the enzyme, in a space packed mostly with amino acid side chains and devoid of water molecules. The initial contacts between the enzymes and their corresponding substrates are usually stabilized by non-covalent interactions, some of which are ionic in nature. Are the ionic interactions between the enzymes and their substrates stronger or weaker than what the same interaction would be if the active site was located on the surface of the enzyme (which is completely exposed to the aqueous solvent)? Explain your answer briefly and try to be as quantitative as possible (include an equation if necessary).
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The ionic interactions between enzymes and their substrates are stronger than what the sare interaction would be if the active site was located on the surface Show more…
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