What Role Does Polarization Play in Enzyme Catalysis?
In enzyme catalysis, polarization is crucial for substrate binding and conversion. Enzymes often contain active sites with charged or polar amino acids that can induce polarization in the substrate. This polarization stabilizes the transition state and lowers the activation energy, making the biochemical reaction more efficient. The concept of polarization is also essential in understanding the specificity of enzymes, as the precise arrangement of charged groups in the active site can selectively stabilize certain substrates over others.
