Rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction as a function of varying reactant concentration, with the concentration of enzyme constant.
For the enzyme-catalyzed reaction shown in the figure, if the initial reactant concentration is 1.0 micromolar, which of these treatments will cause the greatest increase in the rate of the reaction?
A) doubling the activation energy needed
B) cooling the reaction by 10°C
C) doubling the enzyme concentration
D) increasing the concentration of reactants to 10.0 micromolar, while reducing the concentration of enzyme by 1/2

Question

Rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction as a function of varying reactant concentration, with the concentration of enzyme constant.
For the enzyme-catalyzed reaction shown in the figure, if the initial reactant concentration is 1.0 micromolar, which of these treatments will cause the greatest increase in the rate of the reaction?
A) doubling the activation energy needed 
B) cooling the reaction by 10°C 
C) doubling the enzyme concentration 
D) increasing the concentration of reactants to 10.0 micromolar, while reducing the concentration of enzyme by 1/2

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Increasing the enzyme concentration will lead to the greatest increase in the rate of the reaction. This is because enzymes are catalysts that increase the rate of a reaction by lowering the activation energy required for the reaction to occur. Therefore, increasing the concentration of the enzyme will provide more catalysts to speed up the reaction, leading to an increase in the rate. Doubling the activation energy needed, cooling the reaction by 10°C, or increasing the concentration of reactants while reducing the concentration of enzyme will all decrease the rate of the reaction.

Rate of an Enzyme-Catalyzed Reaction as a Function of Varying