Students model enzyme action, substrate specificity, and factors affecting enzyme activity.
This digital lesson develops student understanding of enzyme function and specificity through a sequence of reading-based analysis and interactive modeling tasks. Students examine how enzymes lower activation energy, how active sites determine substrate specificity, and how environmental conditions influence reaction rates.
Students begin with short readings and targeted comprehension questions focused on:
activation energy
enzyme–substrate interactions
active sites and substrate specificity
They then apply these ideas through interactive tasks, including:
matching substrates to enzymes based on shape and fit
identifying active sites for given substrates
labeling enzyme diagrams with relevant vocabulary
analyzing graphs to determine how temperature and pH affect enzyme speed
To extend beyond abstract models, students connect enzyme action to digestion by identifying which nutrient molecules are broken down in each organ of the digestive system.
As a culminating application, students investigate genetic diseases caused by missing or malformed enzymes and describe how altered enzyme structure leads to functional consequences.
This lesson is designed to support:
conceptual understanding of enzyme mechanics
interpretation of enzyme graphs and visual models
application of enzyme concepts to human biology
evidence-based explanation of structure–function relationships
It functions well as a core enzymes lesson within a biochemistry or cell function unit. The digital format allows for low-prep implementation while maintaining analytical rigor.
Middle School: 8 (especially during biochemistry or cell processes units)
High School: 9–11 (Living Environment / Biology / NGSS LS1 content)
This lesson fits both levels because:
It covers foundational enzyme structure & function.
It includes reaction modeling and active site diagrams (HS-appropriate).
Examples and questions are accessible to grades 7–8.
To preview this lesson, click here.
Cross-Curricular Connections & Extensions
Cross-Curricular Connections
ELA: Students interpret diagrams, analyze vocabulary (substrate, catalyst, active site), and explain reasoning in writing.
Health Science: Introduces topics such as lactose intolerance and enzyme-related genetic diseases.
Chemistry: Reinforces activation energy, macromolecules, dehydration synthesis vs. hydrolysis.
Possible Extensions
Modeling enzyme denaturation with temperature or pH simulations (PhET).
Students design a mini-lab predicting “What will happen to enzyme activity if…?”
Research extension: enzymes in industry (cheese-making, detergents, biofuels).
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
MS-LS1-7 — Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy.
(Students model enzyme-mediated hydrolysis and synthesis reactions.)
MS-LS1-2 — Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and the ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
(Enzymes are linked to cellular chemical processes.)
HS-LS1-6 — Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and other large carbon-based molecules.
(Students explore dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, connecting enzymes to macromolecule formation.)
HS-LS1-7 — Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process in which bonds are broken and formed to transfer energy.
(Lesson reinforces enzyme action as part of energy transformation and metabolism.)
Science & Engineering Practices: Developing and using models; Constructing explanations and designing solutions; Analyzing and interpreting data; Engaging in argument from evidence; Using mathematics and computational thinking
Crosscutting Concepts: Structure and function; Cause and effect; Energy and matter: flows, cycles, and conservation; Stability and change; Systems and system models
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-12.3 — Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments or analyzing data.
(Students follow instructions for modeling enzyme action or analyzing graphs.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-12.7 — Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words and visual form.
(Students interpret enzyme graphs and reaction diagrams.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-12.2 — Write explanatory texts to convey scientific information.
(Students explain enzyme mechanisms and their importance to life processes.)
Students model enzyme action, substrate specificity, and factors affecting enzyme activity.
This digital lesson develops student understanding of enzyme function and specificity through a sequence of reading-based analysis and interactive modeling tasks. Students examine how enzymes lower activation energy, how active sites determine substrate specificity, and how environmental conditions influence reaction rates.
Students begin with short readings and targeted comprehension questions focused on:
activation energy
enzyme–substrate interactions
active sites and substrate specificity
They then apply these ideas through interactive tasks, including:
matching substrates to enzymes based on shape and fit
identifying active sites for given substrates
labeling enzyme diagrams with relevant vocabulary
analyzing graphs to determine how temperature and pH affect enzyme speed
To extend beyond abstract models, students connect enzyme action to digestion by identifying which nutrient molecules are broken down in each organ of the digestive system.
As a culminating application, students investigate genetic diseases caused by missing or malformed enzymes and describe how altered enzyme structure leads to functional consequences.
This lesson is designed to support:
conceptual understanding of enzyme mechanics
interpretation of enzyme graphs and visual models
application of enzyme concepts to human biology
evidence-based explanation of structure–function relationships
It functions well as a core enzymes lesson within a biochemistry or cell function unit. The digital format allows for low-prep implementation while maintaining analytical rigor.
Middle School: 8 (especially during biochemistry or cell processes units)
High School: 9–11 (Living Environment / Biology / NGSS LS1 content)
This lesson fits both levels because:
It covers foundational enzyme structure & function.
It includes reaction modeling and active site diagrams (HS-appropriate).
Examples and questions are accessible to grades 7–8.
To preview this lesson, click here.
Cross-Curricular Connections & Extensions
Cross-Curricular Connections
ELA: Students interpret diagrams, analyze vocabulary (substrate, catalyst, active site), and explain reasoning in writing.
Health Science: Introduces topics such as lactose intolerance and enzyme-related genetic diseases.
Chemistry: Reinforces activation energy, macromolecules, dehydration synthesis vs. hydrolysis.
Possible Extensions
Modeling enzyme denaturation with temperature or pH simulations (PhET).
Students design a mini-lab predicting “What will happen to enzyme activity if…?”
Research extension: enzymes in industry (cheese-making, detergents, biofuels).
Daily slide + literacy - based exit ticket included with purchase
MS-LS1-7 — Develop a model to describe how food is rearranged through chemical reactions forming new molecules that support growth and/or release energy.
(Students model enzyme-mediated hydrolysis and synthesis reactions.)
MS-LS1-2 — Develop and use a model to describe the function of a cell as a whole and the ways parts of cells contribute to the function.
(Enzymes are linked to cellular chemical processes.)
HS-LS1-6 — Construct and revise an explanation based on evidence for how carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen from sugar molecules may combine with other elements to form amino acids and other large carbon-based molecules.
(Students explore dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis, connecting enzymes to macromolecule formation.)
HS-LS1-7 — Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process in which bonds are broken and formed to transfer energy.
(Lesson reinforces enzyme action as part of energy transformation and metabolism.)
Science & Engineering Practices: Developing and using models; Constructing explanations and designing solutions; Analyzing and interpreting data; Engaging in argument from evidence; Using mathematics and computational thinking
Crosscutting Concepts: Structure and function; Cause and effect; Energy and matter: flows, cycles, and conservation; Stability and change; Systems and system models
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-12.3 — Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments or analyzing data.
(Students follow instructions for modeling enzyme action or analyzing graphs.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RST.6-12.7 — Integrate quantitative or technical information expressed in words and visual form.
(Students interpret enzyme graphs and reaction diagrams.)
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.WHST.6-12.2 — Write explanatory texts to convey scientific information.
(Students explain enzyme mechanisms and their importance to life processes.)
