Usually in the math-mode there is the feature that if one marks an expression and then types the name of a command with argument (e.g. \frac), then the expression ends up in the first argument of the command. This also works for brackets, if one marks an expression and then types <alt>-m-( , the expression ends up between brackets.
However, it does not work for the grouping bracket which is obtained in the math-mode via \{ . Marking an expression and typing "\{" just yields an empty grouping bracket. - Sebastian