Loading…
Loading…
GCSE Biology · key term
The condition, such as a particular temperature or pH, at which an enzyme-catalysed reaction has its maximum rate.
Used by AQA, Edexcel and OCR
Specification 4.2.2.1, 4.7.1.2 · Paper 1, Paper 2
The condition, such as a particular temperature or pH, at which an enzyme-controlled reaction has its highest rate.
Revise: The Mechanism and Factors of Enzyme ActionThe reaction rate therefore rises until the optimum temperature, at which the rate is greatest.
The condition or value at which an organism or process performs best.
Specification 1.9, 7.9 · Paper 1, Paper 2
Revise: Factors Affecting Enzyme ActivityThe reaction rate therefore increases up to the enzyme's optimum temperature, where its activity is greatest.
The condition at which a biological process works most effectively.
Specification B1.2g, B1.4f · Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher)
The temperature or pH at which an enzyme-controlled reaction has its maximum rate under the stated conditions.
Revise: Factors Affecting the Rate of Enzyme ReactionsCollisions occur more frequently, and a greater proportion have enough energy for a reaction, so the rate rises towards an optimum temperature.
The conditions at which a process occurs at its maximum rate.
Paper 1 (Foundation), Paper 2 (Foundation), Paper 3 (Higher), Paper 4 (Higher)
The conditions, such as a particular temperature or pH, at which an enzyme-catalysed reaction has its maximum rate.
Revise: EnzymesThe rate reaches a maximum at the enzyme's optimum temperature.
The value of a condition at which the fastest rate occurs.
The conditions under which a process occurs at its maximum rate.
The pH or temperature at which a particular enzyme-catalysed reaction has its greatest rate.
The optimum is the condition giving the highest rate, not necessarily the highest temperature or a neutral pH.
Use the direction shown by the data. Do not automatically assume that increasing an abiotic factor always benefits an organism; many species have an optimum and a limited tolerance range.
When explaining a temperature increase below the optimum, link the full chain: more kinetic energy → faster movement → more frequent successful collisions between substrates and active sites → a higher rate.
Create a free account to read GCSE Biology revision notes for your exam board and track your progress.