Answer: The active site of an enzyme is the region that:
Explanation:
1. Binds to the substrate: The active site is where the substrate, the molecule that the enzyme acts on, binds. This binding is specific and allows for the enzyme to catalyze a specific reaction.
2. Facilitates the chemical reaction: Once the substrate is bound to the active site, the enzyme helps facilitate the chemical reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. This leads to an increase in the rate of the reaction.
3. Is highly specific: The active site of an enzyme is highly specific to the shape and chemical properties of its substrate. This specificity ensures that the enzyme will only catalyze a particular reaction with a specific substrate.
4. Undergoes conformational changes: The active site can undergo conformational changes when the substrate binds, allowing for optimal positioning of the substrate for the catalytic reaction to occur efficiently.
In summary, the active site of an enzyme plays a crucial role in binding the substrate, facilitating the chemical reaction, ensuring specificity, and undergoing conformational changes to enhance catalytic activity.