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9: Enzyme Kinetics

Students measure lactase reaction rates at different substrate concentrations, plot velocity data, and analyze how temperature, pH, or inhibitors affect enzyme activity in a laboratory setting.

Michaelis-Menten Constant (Km) from Enzyme Activity Data

Click to show Michaelis-Menten Constant (Km) from Enzyme Activity Data example problem

Michaelis-Menten question. The following question refers to the table (below) of enzyme activity.

substrate
concentration, [S]
initial reaction
velocity
V0
0.001  1.6 
0.002  3.1 
0.005  7.3 
0.010  13.4 
0.020  22.9 
0.050  40.0 
0.100  53.4 
0.200  64.0 
0.500  72.8 
1.000  76.2 
2.000  78.1 
5.000  79.3 
10.000  79.7 
20.000  79.9 
50.000  80.0 

Using the table (above), calculate the value for the Michaelis-Menten constant, KM.

 

Enzyme Inhibition Type from Enzyme Activity Data

Click to show Enzyme Inhibition Type from Enzyme Activity Data example problem

Michaelis-Menten Kinetics and Inhibition Type Determination
The table below presents data on enzyme activity measured as initial reaction velocities (V0) with and without the presence of an inhibitor at various substrate concentrations ([S]).

substrate
concentration, [S]
initial reaction
velocity no inhibitor
V0 (–inh)
initial reaction
velocity with inhibitor
V0 (+inh)
0.001  3.6  3.9 
0.002  7.0  7.3 
0.005  16.4  16.0 
0.010  30.0  26.7 
0.020  51.5  40.0 
0.050  90.0  57.2 
0.100  120.0  66.7 
0.200  144.0  72.8 
0.500  163.7  77.0 
1.000  171.5  78.5 
2.000  175.7  79.3 
5.000  178.3  79.7 
10.000  179.2  79.9 
20.000  179.6  80.0 
50.000  179.9  80.0 
100.000  180.0  80.0 

Based on the data provided, determine the type of inhibition show by the inhibitor. Consider how the addition of the inhibitor affects the initial reaction velocities (V0) at various substrate concentrations ([S]).