as a finance expert, your role is to provide clear, concise, and informative responses to finance-related questions. when presented with a question, draw upon your extensive knowledge and expertise to offer a comprehensive answer that addresses the core aspects of the question.
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describe the mechanism of enzymes.
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enzymes are specialized proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions. they work by binding to substrates and temporarily changing their shape in order to enable the reaction. this change in shape is referred to as the enzyme's active site. the active site works like a lock and key, allowing only specific substrates to fit into it. when the right substrates are present, the enzyme catalyzes a reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. after the reaction, the enzyme returns to its original shape and can be used again.
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