The effect of substrate & enzyme concentration on enzyme activity 2.4.6 & 2.4.7 Flashcards
Why does the rate of reaction increase as substrate concentration increases?
As more ES complexes can form, resulting in more product formation.
What is the limiting factor within an environment where substrate concentration is increasing?
Substrate concentration, because as it increases the rate also increases.
What is Vmax?
The maximum rate of reaction
Why does substrate concentration have no effect beyond the Vmax?
As there are no unoccupied active sites for the substrate molecules to bind to, so no further ES complexes can be created.
What does enzyme concentration depend on in living cells?
The rate of synthesis of the enzyme and its rate of degradation (break down), which is controlled directly by the cell.
How does the cell control an enzymes rate of synthesis?
By switching the genes for synthesising proteins/enzymes on or off.
What does enzyme degradation allow for?
The elimination of abnormally shaped proteins that might otherwise accumulate and harm the cell. It also regulates metabolism by eliminating excess enzymes.
What occurs as a result of an increased enzyme concentration?
More active sites become available, meaning more successful collisions occur and more ES complexes are formed.
What is the limiting factor in an environment where enzyme concentration is increasing?
The enzyme concentration as it increases and so does the rate.
When does substrate concentration become the limiting factor in a reaction?
When enzyme concentration continues to increase beyond the Vmax yet the rate does not increase.
When is rate of reaction fastest?
At the beginning of the reaction - as the chance of collision is at its highest.
