What are the differences between substrate and products?

Question

Accepted Answer

Basis of differentiation

Substrate

Product

Definition

Substrate refers to the compound that the enzyme acts on and modifies in a reaction. It is the starting material in a reaction.

Product refers to the compound that is obtained when the reaction is complete. It is the end result of a reaction.

Concentration at the start of the reaction

There is a high concentration of substrates at the start of the reaction.

There are no products formed yet at the start of the reaction.

Concentration as the reaction progresses

The concentration of the substrate decreases as the reaction progresses.

The concentration of the product increases as the reaction progresses.

Concentration at the end of the reaction

There may be no or very low concentration of substrates at the end of the reaction.

There is a high concentration of products at the end of the reaction.

Number of substrates/products in a reaction

There may be one or more substrates involved in a reaction.

There may be one or more products formed at the end of a reaction.

Example

The enzyme lactase acts on the substrate lactose, which is a sugar found in milk.

The reaction between the enzyme (lactase) and the substrate (lactose) results two products – glucose and galactose.

Basis of differentiation	Substrate	Product
Definition	Substrate refers to the compound that the enzyme acts on and modifies in a reaction. It is the starting material in a reaction.	Product refers to the compound that is obtained when the reaction is complete. It is the end result of a reaction.
Concentration at the start of the reaction	There is a high concentration of substrates at the start of the reaction.	There are no products formed yet at the start of the reaction.
Concentration as the reaction progresses	The concentration of the substrate decreases as the reaction progresses.	The concentration of the product increases as the reaction progresses.
Concentration at the end of the reaction	There may be no or very low concentration of substrates at the end of the reaction.	There is a high concentration of products at the end of the reaction.
Number of substrates/products in a reaction	There may be one or more substrates involved in a reaction.	There may be one or more products formed at the end of a reaction.
Example	The enzyme lactase acts on the substrate lactose, which is a sugar found in milk.	The reaction between the enzyme (lactase) and the substrate (lactose) results two products – glucose and galactose.