Enzyme Activity

On the surface of the enzyme is an active site that temporarily binds the reactants or substrates forming an enzyme-substrate complex. The catalytic action of the enzyme then converts the substrate to a product or products. This conversion can take the form of a synthesis (building more complex molecules), a decomposition (splitting of the substrate), an oxidation/reduction (addition or removal of electrons), or an isomerization (rearrangement of atoms within a molecule).