View source for Substrate (biochemistry)

{{otheruses|Substrate}}

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==Overview==
In [[biochemistry]], a '''substrate''' is a [[molecule]] upon which an [[enzyme]] acts. Enzymes [[catalysis|catalyze]] [[chemical reactions]] involving the substrate(s). The substrate binds with the enzyme's [[active site]], and an [[enzyme-substrate complex]] is formed. The substrate is broken down into a product and is released from the active site. The active site is now free to accept another substrate molecule.   An example of a substrate would be milk and the [[enzyme]] added would be [[rennin]] which causes milk to set.  Another example would be  the reaction of [[catalase]] in the [[decomposition]] of [[hydrogen peroxide]].
:2 H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> → 2 H<sub>2</sub>O + O<sub>2</sub>.

A general equation is as follows:

E + S ⇌ ES → EP ⇌ E + P

'''where E = enzyme, S = substrate(s), P = product(s)'''
Note that only the middle step is irreversible.


By increasing the [[substrate]] concentration, the rate of reaction will increase due to the increase in likelihood of enzyme-substrate complexes forming, this occurs until the [[enzyme]] becomes the [[limiting factor]].

==See also==

* [[Enzyme kinetics]]
* [[Enzyme assay]]

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[[Category:Biomolecules]]
[[Category:Enzyme kinetics]]

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