Enzymes: catalysis, specificity and stability | 16-18 years

A 3D rendered image of the RNA polymerase II enzyme in yeast transcribing DNA

Source: © Juan Gaertner / Science Photo Library / Getty Images

Explore how enzymes work, including substrate specificity and the effects of heat and pH, using peer assessment in this lesson plan for 16–18 year olds.

In this activity, students write an account of how enzymes work using a set of key words. Other students judge the content and quality of the written explanation about enzymes against a given set of criteria for success.

Students use peer assessment to check their ability to describe and explain:

How enzymes catalyse reactions.
Why enzyme action is specific to particular substrates.
Why enzymes are affected by heat and pH.

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