What is one characteristic of conformational changes in enzymes during reactions?

Conformational changes in enzymes play a crucial role in facilitating the interaction between the enzyme and its substrate. When an enzyme binds to a substrate, it often undergoes a change in shape or structure, which is essential for the catalytic process. This change can lead to an increased affinity for the substrate, enhancing substrate binding. The precise fitting of the substrate into the active site—sometimes referred to as the "induced fit" model—involves these structural adaptations that can make enzyme-substrate interactions more effective.

This characteristic is significant because it enhances the efficiency of the catalytic reactions that enzymes mediate, contributing to the overall metabolic processes within a cell. The ability of enzymes to undergo conformational changes allows them to be highly specific in the reactions they catalyze, ensuring that the right substrate is processed effectively.