the lock - and - key mechanism refers to\nthe complementary shapes of an enzyme and a substrate.\nthe…

the lock - and - key mechanism refers to\nthe complementary shapes of an enzyme and a substrate.\nthe attractive forces between an enzyme and a substrate.\nthe ability of an enzyme to lower the activation energy of a reaction.\nthe ability of an enzyme to \unlock\ the products of a reaction.

the lock - and - key mechanism refers to\nthe complementary shapes of an enzyme and a substrate.\nthe attractive forces between an enzyme and a substrate.\nthe ability of an enzyme to lower the activation energy of a reaction.\nthe ability of an enzyme to \unlock\ the products of a reaction.

Answer

Brief Explanations:

The lock - and - key mechanism is a model in biochemistry. In this model, the enzyme (lock) has a specific shape (active site) that is complementary to the shape of the substrate (key). Just as a key fits into a lock with a specific shape, the substrate fits into the active site of the enzyme based on their complementary shapes. The attractive forces (such as hydrogen bonds, van der Waals forces) are part of what holds the enzyme - substrate complex together, but the fundamental concept of the lock - and - key is about shape complementarity. Lowering the activation energy is a general property of enzymes (catalysis), not specifically related to the lock - and - key mechanism. The idea of “unlocking” products is not the core of the lock - and - key mechanism.

Answer:

the complementary shapes of an enzyme and a substrate.