In the context of anatomy and physiology, a substrate is a molecule upon which an enzyme acts to facilitate a biochemical reaction. It specifically binds to the active site of the enzyme, initiating a chemical change in the substrate.
Related terms
Enzyme: A protein that catalyzes chemical reactions by lowering the activation energy needed for the reaction to occur.
Active Site: The region on an enzyme where substrates bind and undergo a chemical reaction.
Biochemical Reaction: A chemical process that occurs in living organisms to maintain life, involving substrates and enzymes