What is the Difference Between Substrate and Product?

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The main difference between a substrate and a product lies in their roles within a chemical reaction. Here are the key distinctions between the two:

  • Substrate: A substrate is the starting material of a chemical reaction. It is the compound on which an enzyme acts, and it binds to the enzyme's active site. The substrate is then converted into a different molecule, which is the product of the reaction.
  • Product: A product is the compound obtained at the end of a chemical reaction. It is the result of the substrate being converted by the enzyme, forming a new molecule.

In summary, a substrate is the starting material that undergoes a chemical reaction, while a product is the compound obtained after the reaction has completed. Both substrates and products play crucial roles in chemical reactions, and understanding their differences is essential for comprehending the fundamentals of chemistry and biochemistry.

Comparative Table: Substrate vs Product

The difference between a substrate and a product can be summarized in the following table:

Substrate Product
Starting material of a chemical reaction Compound obtained after a chemical reaction
Reacts with an enzyme to form a product Formed as a result of the enzyme-substrate interaction
Substrates have weak bonds with enzymes Products have stronger bonds than substrates
Substrates are usually complex nutrients that must be broken down before being absorbed Products are the final materials after the substrate has been transformed by the enzyme

In a chemical reaction, the substrate is the starting material that reacts with an enzyme to form a product. The product is the compound obtained after the reaction has taken place. The substrate binds to the enzyme's active site with weak bonds, and the interaction between the enzyme and substrate leads to the formation of products. Products have stronger bonds than substrates and are the final materials after the substrate has been transformed by the enzyme.