Similarities

Subject
Specificity

Lock and key hypothesis

Induced fit model
Both mechanisms explain how enzymes are specific to the
substrate they bind to.

Active site

Both requires the substrate to bind to the active site to form the
enzyme-substrate complex.

Activation energy

Both lowers the activation energy required for the reaction to occur.

Factors

Both are affected by temperature / pH.

Differences
Subject
Active site

Lock and key hypothesis

The substrate must be of the
same shape as the active site. /
the active site if fixed in shape

Induced fit model

The substrate need not be of the
same shape as the active site /
the active site can change its
shape to fit the substrate.

Substrate

The substrate fits snugly into the

active site.

The substrate is strained or has

its bonds strained by the active
site.