The lock and key model of enzyme action illustrate that a particular enzyme molecule

Options

A. may be destroyed and resynthesized several times
B. interacts with a specific type of substrate molecule
C. reacts at identical rates under all conditions
D. forms a permanent enzyme - substrate complex

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Lock and Key Model**: The lock and key model is a concept that describes how enzymes interact with substrates. In this model, the enzyme is compared to a lock, while the substrate is compared to a key. Just as a specific key fits into a specific lock, a specific substrate fits into a specific enzyme.

2. **Specificity of Enzymes**: Each enzyme has a unique active site that is shaped to fit only a particular substrate. This means that the enzyme's structure is complementary to the shape of its substrate, allowing for a precise interaction.

3. **Formation of the Enzyme-Substrate Complex**: When the substrate binds to the active site of the enzyme, it forms an enzyme-substrate complex. This is similar to how a key fits into a lock. The binding of the substrate to the enzyme induces a change in the enzyme's shape, facilitating the chemical reaction.

4. **Catalysis and Product Formation**: Once the enzyme-substrate complex is formed, the enzyme catalyzes the conversion of the substrate into products. After the reaction, the products are released, and the enzyme is free to bind with another substrate molecule.

5. **Implications of the Model**: The lock and key model illustrates the specificity and efficiency of enzymes. It emphasizes that only substrates with the correct shape can interact with the enzyme, which is crucial for the regulation of biochemical reactions in living organisms.