Substrates

In biology and biochemistry, 'substrates' are the molecules upon which an enzyme acts. They are the reactants that an enzyme binds to and converts into products. In other contexts, a 'substrate' can refer to any surface or material upon which something else is deposited, grown, or supported. This includes surfaces in microbiology for cell culture, base materials in painting, and geological foundations for buildings. The specific substrate utilized will affect the action of the substance being applied to the 'substrate'.

Substrates meaning with examples

• During cellular respiration, glucose acts as the primary substrate for the enzyme glycolysis. The enzyme binds to the glucose, breaking it down to produce energy-rich molecules like ATP. Without glucose as a substrate, glycolysis cannot occur, preventing energy production. The availability of glucose therefore affects the rate of ATP production, based on the substrate concentration.
• In a microbial culture, agar serves as a solid substrate for the growth of bacteria. Nutrients are often added to the agar, and the bacteria can colonize and multiply on its surface. The type of agar can influence growth. Without agar the substrate is not viable, therefore no growth occurs.
• A painter uses canvas as a substrate to apply their paint. The paint adheres to the canvas and remains there, so an image is produced. The texture and preparation of the canvas substrate can influence the final look, affecting the art created. The substrate is the foundation.
• In a chemical reaction, the reactants can be thought of as substrates. For example, when vinegar and baking soda mix, they are each acting as a substrate for an effervescent reaction. The reactants are bound together, and transformed into different products that do not interact without the substrates. The effect cannot happen without these
• In the context of architecture, the ground is the substrate for a building's foundation. The type of soil and its properties will directly affect the stability and design of the structure. The substrate acts as the foundation the architecture is built on. Without the substrate, the build could not be safe.