Enzyme Reaction Rate Calculator (Trial 1)
Calculate the velocity of your enzymatic reaction based on product formation or substrate depletion.
At the start time (t₁)
At the end time (t₂)
Usually 0 seconds
Seconds or Minutes
Product Formation (Increasing)
Substrate Depletion (Decreasing)
Trial 1 Results
Change in Concentration (Δ[A]): –
Time Elapsed (Δt): –
Reaction Rate (Slope):
–
(Units per time unit provided)
How to Show Your Enzyme Reaction Rate Calculation
In biochemistry, calculating the reaction rate for a specific trial (such as Trial 1) is fundamental to understanding enzyme kinetics. This calculation typically determines the Average Rate or Initial Velocity ($V_0$) depending on the linearity of your data points.
The Formula
The general formula for calculating the reaction rate based on two data points in Trial 1 is:
Rate = Δ[Concentration] / Δt
Rate = ([A]₂ – [A]₁) / (t₂ – t₁)
Rate = ([A]₂ – [A]₁) / (t₂ – t₁)
- [A]₂: Product concentration or absorbance at the end of the interval.
- [A]₁: Product concentration or absorbance at the start of the interval.
- t₂ – t₁: The total time elapsed during the measurement.
Example Calculation for Trial 1
Imagine you are testing the enzyme Catalase. In Trial 1, you measure the production of Oxygen gas via pressure or absorbance.
- Time 0s: 0 µM Product
- Time 60s: 120 µM Product
To show your calculation:
Rate = (120 – 0) / (60 – 0) = 120 / 60 = 2 µM/sec
Factors Affecting Trial 1 Data
When analyzing your first trial, consider these variables:
- Substrate Saturation: If the substrate is depleted too quickly, the rate will appear to slow down over time. Always calculate the rate using the linear portion of the graph (Initial Velocity).
- Temperature & pH: Ensure these were constant during the trial interval, as fluctuations can alter enzyme efficiency.
- Units: Common units include $\mu M/sec$, $mM/min$, or Absorbance Units/sec ($AU/s$).
Substrate Depletion vs. Product Formation
If you are measuring the disappearance of a substrate (like starch being broken down by amylase), your final concentration will be lower than your initial. The calculator above allows you to select "Substrate Depletion" to handle the negative slope mathematically, yielding a positive reaction rate value (since rate is expressed as a positive speed).