Enzyme Activity: Substrate Concentration (OCR A Level Biology)

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Enzyme Activity: Substrate Concentration

  • The greater the substrate concentration, the higher the rate of reaction:
    • As the number of substrate molecules increases, the likelihood of enzyme-substrate complex formation increases
    • If the enzyme concentration remains fixed but the amount of substrate is increased past a certain point, however, all available active sites eventually become saturated and any further increase in substrate concentration will not increase the reaction rate
    • When the active sites of the enzymes are all full, any substrate molecules that are added have nowhere to bind in order to form an enzyme-substrate complex

  • For this reason, in the graph below there is a linear increase in reaction rate as substrate is added, which then plateaus when all active sites become occupied

The effect of substrate concentration on an enzyme-catalysed reaction, downloadable AS & A Level Biology revision notes

The effect of substrate concentration on the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction

Examiner Tip

If substrate concentration is continually increased but enzyme concentration is kept constant, there eventually comes a point where every enzyme active site is working continuously. At this point, the substrate molecules are effectively ‘queuing up’ for an active site to become available.At this stage, the enzyme is working at its maximum possible rate, known as Vmax (V stands for velocity).

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Alistair

Author: Alistair

Expertise: Biology & Environmental Systems and Societies

Alistair graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biological Sciences. He has taught GCSE/IGCSE Biology, as well as Biology and Environmental Systems & Societies for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme. While teaching in Oxford, Alistair completed his MA Education as Head of Department for Environmental Systems & Societies. Alistair has continued to pursue his interests in ecology and environmental science, recently gaining an MSc in Wildlife Biology & Conservation with Edinburgh Napier University.