The lock-and-key mechanism refers to

The Correct Answer is:

Emil Fischer was the first to describe the Lock-and-Key mechanism, which involves an enzyme momentarily binding to one substrate to generate a substrate complex.

The locking mechanism and key are typically associated with complementary enzyme forms that share a single substrate, with the enzyme acting as the lock and the substrate acting as the key. One substrate (key) fits nicely into the active site (keyhole) of the enzyme (lock).

The substrate and the active site mentioned before are physically compatible. The enzyme’s transient binding site is located here. The enzyme is intended to fit the lock and the substrate together like a lock and a key.