3.3.4

Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

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Rate of Reactions

The rate of a reaction can easily be calculated. This means that changes in rates of reactions, due to a number of different factors, can be detected.

Calculating rate of reaction

Calculating rate of reaction

  • Rates of reaction can be calculated by measuring the increase in products or decrease in reactants over time.
  • Calculating the gradient of a graph of this enzyme activity against time will give the rate of reaction in the appropriate units.
  • Units depend on what quantity is being measured but include, cm3 s−1 (cubic centimetres each second) and g dm-3 s−1 (grams per decimetre each second).
Enzymes have optimal conditions

Enzymes have optimal conditions

  • Optimum conditions are where the enzyme works at its maximum rate. The same conditions are not optimum for every enzyme.
    • The optimal pH for pepsin, a digestive enzyme found in the stomach, is around pH 1.5, whereas the optimal pH for pancreatic lipase is pH 8.
  • Denaturation can occur if external conditions cause changes to the enzyme’s tertiary structure, altering the shape of the active site so that the substrate no longer fits.
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