Question
Transition state structure of the substrate formed during an enzymatic reaction is
transient but stable
permanent but unstable
transient and unstable
permanent and stable
Solution
C.
transient and unstable
The substrate binds to the enzyme at its active site forming an enzyme substrate complex. This complex formation is a transient and unstable phenomenon. Later, the product is released from the active site, which makes all other intermediate structural states unstable. Hence, stability is related to energy status of the molecule or the structure.
