OrganisationKey Facts

Calculation Skills: Enzyme Rates

Part of Enzymes in DigestionGCSE Biology

This key facts covers Calculation Skills: Enzyme Rates within Enzymes in Digestion for GCSE Biology. Enzyme structure and function, digestive enzymes, factors affecting enzyme activity, lock and key model, and practical investigations It is section 12 of 19 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.

Topic position

Section 12 of 19

Practice

20 questions

Recall

25 flashcards

Calculation Skills: Enzyme Rates

Rate of Reaction

Formula: Rate = Amount of product formed ÷ Time taken

Units: mol/s, g/s, cm³/s, etc.

Example Calculation

In an enzyme experiment, 20 cm³ of oxygen is produced in 2 minutes.

Rate = 20 cm³ ÷ 2 min = 10 cm³/min

Or in seconds: 10 cm³/min ÷ 60 = 0.17 cm³/s

Initial Rate

  • Calculated from the steepest part of the graph (usually the start)
  • Draw a tangent to the curve at time 0
  • Calculate gradient: rise ÷ run

Q10 Temperature Coefficient

Formula: Q10 = Rate at (T + 10°C) ÷ Rate at T°C

Example: Rate at 30°C = 5 units, Rate at 20°C = 2 units

Q10 = 5 ÷ 2 = 2.5 (rate increases 2.5 times for 10°C increase)

Keep building this topic

Read this section alongside the surrounding pages in Enzymes in Digestion. That gives you the full topic sequence instead of a single isolated revision point.

Practice Questions for Enzymes in Digestion

What are enzymes?

  • A. Carbohydrates that provide energy for cells
  • B. Biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions
  • C. Proteins that are used up during digestion
  • D. Molecules that store genetic information
1 markfoundation

Explain the effect of increasing temperature on enzyme activity.

3 marksstandard

Quick Recall Flashcards

What does lipase do?
Breaks down lipids (fats) into fatty acids and glycerol. Produced by pancreas, works in small intestine.
What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions by lowering activation energy. Enzymes are proteins with specific 3D shapes.

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