Final answer:
Enzymes are proteins that bind to substrates and catalyze chemical reactions by lowering activation energy. They have a unique active site that provides a specific chemical environment suited for binding to specific substrates. Enzymes and substrates bind through an induced fit model.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes are proteins that bind to one or more ligands called substrates and convert them into chemically modified products through a process called catalysis. Enzymes achieve this by lowering the activation energy of the reaction, which allows the reaction to occur at a faster rate. The specific combination of amino acid side chains within the enzyme's active site creates a unique chemical environment that is suited to bind to specific substrates. Enzymes and substrates bind together in an induced fit model, where the enzyme undergoes conformational adjustments upon substrate contact to achieve optimal binding.