Models of Love Learnt from Enzymes

Many students often ask what future use would they have of the things they are learning in school today. What use would learning equations, differentials, biological statistics and others be to common folks in daily life? I guess if one becomes a parent one day, then he may have to teach his kids about it. So there may be a use after all; the key word is ‘may’.

It is with this thought, and perhaps over a heartbreak, that I realized that enzymes could teach me about love, and perhaps recognizing the gentleman for who I was made for.

What are enzymes?

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions. They act on specific molecules, group of molecules, or specific bonds. These are called substrates. The reactions follow either the lock-and-key model where the substrates fit a part of the enzyme perfectly, or an induced-fit model where the substrate induces a change in the shape of the enzyme until the substrate can fit in that part of the enzyme.

---

Geek time over, now to love.

Finding the love of your life may follow either of the two models: induced-fit or lock-and-key. Note that for this comparison, I’m only talking about finding your perfect fit. 

Lock-and-Key Model

You meet someone, you know you click, and then you realize that you are a perfect fit for each other. This is the stuff most Hollywood stories are made of, and I believe there are real stories that are like the lock-and-key model. 

This can be pretty thrilling and enjoyable. And maybe, some of our parents and grandparents can utter the lines, ‘I knew from the moment I saw her that she was the one.’ 

On a practical note, however, that with this love model, both parties still need to exert effort to maintain their love. 

---

Induced-Fit Model

Initially, it’s not apparent that two people would fit each other. This model usually starts with friendship. And through being friends, they realize that they could be a perfect fit for each other. Perhaps, it’s after they have grown and changed a bit. Some might not see this as romantic and thrilling as lock-and-key but I’ve heard that it’s lucky to be in love with your best friend and luckiest if your best friend falls back in love with you. 

Warning: If one realizes this ahead of the other, this might require breaking out of the friend zone. Well, that's another article to write. Maybe one day. 

So, you see, learning science may have some practical lessons after all, even in romance.

Let me know what’s your preferred model and if you know of advantages and disadvantages of any of the models. I’d love to hear from you. Please leave comments below or answer the short survey below :)