9.1.3

Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

Test yourself on Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

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.
Jump to other topics
1

Unity & Diversity - Molecules

2

Unity & Diversity - Cells

3

Unity & Diversity - Organisms

4

Unity & Diversity - Ecosystems

5

Form & Function - Molecules

6

Form & Function - Cells

7

Form & Function - Organisms

8

Form & Function - Ecosystems

9

Interaction & Interdependence - Molecules

10

Interaction & Interdependence - Cells

11

Interaction & Interdependence - Organisms

12

Interaction & Interdependence - Ecosystems

12.1

Populations & Communities

12.2

Transfers of Energy & Matter

13

Continuity & Change - Molecules

14

Continuity & Change - Cells

15

Continuity & Change - Organisms

16

Continuity & Change - Ecosystems

Practice questions on Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
  2. 2
Answer all questions on Enzyme-Controlled Reactions

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium