Limiting Factors Affecting Enzymes: Enzyme Concentration (AQA A Level Biology): Revision Note

Exam code: 7402

Lára Marie McIvor

Written by: Lára Marie McIvor

Reviewed by: Cara Head

Updated on

The effect of enzyme concentration

  • Enzyme concentration affects the rate of reaction

  • The higher the enzyme concentration in a reaction mixture, the greater the number of active sites available and the greater the likelihood of enzyme-substrate complex formation

  • As long as there is sufficient substrate available, the initial rate of reaction increases linearly with enzyme concentration

  • If the amount of substrate is limited, further increases in enzyme concentration will not increase the reaction rate as the amount of substrate becomes a limiting factor

Graph of enzyme concentration vs rate of reaction shows a linear increase, with labels explaining the trend as more active sites are available.
The effect of enzyme concentration on the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Make sure you use specific key terms within your answers, including active site, substrate, and enzyme-substrate complex.

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Lára Marie McIvor

Author: Lára Marie McIvor

Expertise: Biology, Psychology & Sociology Subject Lead

Lára graduated from Oxford University in Biological Sciences and has now been a science tutor working in the UK for several years. Lára has a particular interest in the area of infectious disease and epidemiology, and enjoys creating original educational materials that develop confidence and facilitate learning.

Cara Head

Reviewer: Cara Head

Expertise: Biology & Psychology Content Creator

Cara graduated from the University of Exeter in 2005 with a degree in Biological Sciences. She has fifteen years of experience teaching the Sciences at KS3 to KS5, and Psychology at A-Level. Cara has taught in a range of secondary schools across the South West of England before joining the team at SME. Cara is passionate about Biology and creating resources that bring the subject alive and deepen students' understanding