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Introduction to the lesson
Now that we have seen how enzymes work, what factors affect enzymes and how enzymes are inhibited, we will study enzyme affinities -- the rate at which enzymes can convert substrate molecules into product molecules. This is an extremely important area of study in biology as you will see in the end of your reading.
Comparing enzyme affinities
Read the section under the heading “Comparing enzyme affinities” in your text book (p.62-64).
Learning Activity 1
Answer the following questions in your exercise book.
- Why is it so important for carbonic anhydrase to be able to remove carbon dioxide so fast? (This will be covered in more detail later on in the course but it is worth starting to think about it.)
- Describe how the reaction rate of enzyme activity is measured in terms of substrate concentration and enzyme concentration.
- Answer Question 3.7 on p.62 of your text book.
- Answer Question 3.8 on p.62 of your text book.
- List the significance of Vmax and Km.
- Answer Question 3.9 on p.64 of your text book.
Definitions and review
Definitions
- Turnover rate
- Michaelis-Menton constant (Km)
Mindmap
Add this section to your chapter three mindmap.