How does availability of substrates and enzymes affect rate of reaction

Enzymes have an active site with a specific shape for binding to a specific substrate with the complimentary shape to enable reactions to occur. Initially when substrates are added the rate of a reactions increases,hence substrate concentration is said to be limiting. As substrates are added, the active sites on the enzyme become increasingly occupied, reducing the availability for the added substrates so the reaction rate decreases and enzyme concentration is said to be limiting. The reaction rate plateaus as all active sites are full so increasing substrate concentration further does not speed up reaction rate unless more enzymes are added.

Answered by Solomon O. Biology tutor

1872 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Describe the structure of the heart and its function in the human circulatory system.


What is Homeostasis and how does it work?


What is diffusion and how is it different from osmosis?


How do bacteria develop resistance to antibiotics?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences