Enzyme concentration

• what happens to the enzyme molecule once a product leaves the active site?

  the enzyme molecule can be reused
• how much enzyme concentration is need to catalyse a large number of reactions?

  a low amount
• why is a low enzyme concentration needed to catalyse a large number of reactions?

  as once a product leaves the active site, the enzyme molecule can be reused
• what is the turn-over number?

  the number of substrate molecules that 1 enzyme molecule can turn into products in a given time
• what is an example of a fast-acting enzyme?

  • catalase, with a turn-over number of 40 million molecules per second
  • it breaks down the highly toxic waste, hydrogen peroxide
• what does catalase (one of the fastest-acting enzymes) break down?

  it breaks down the highly toxic waste, hydrogen peroxide
• what happens when the enzyme rate increases?

  as it increases, there are more active sites available and therefore the rate of reaction increases
• what does it mean if the temperature and pH are optimal and theres an excess of substrate?

  it means that the rate of reaction is directly proportional to the enzyme concentration