Lesson Plan

Resources → Subject Notes → Biology → Notes
Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Biology
Lesson Topic: Describe why enzymes are important in all living organisms in terms of sustaining life through reaction rates.
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how enzymes increase reaction rates by lowering activation energy.
  • Explain the factors that influence enzyme activity (temperature, pH, substrate concentration, enzyme concentration, inhibitors).
  • Interpret the effect of enzyme regulation on metabolic pathways.
  • Apply knowledge of enzyme function to real‑world examples such as digestive enzymes.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • Slides/PowerPoint on enzyme concepts
  • Handout with summary table of factors affecting enzymes
  • Simple lab demonstration materials (gelatin, hydrogen peroxide, catalase source)
  • Worksheets for practice problems
  • Exit ticket cards
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick video clip showing a chemical reaction that would be imperceptibly slow without a catalyst, prompting students to wonder how life sustains its chemistry. Recall prior learning about activation energy and the need for reactions to occur quickly in cells. State that by the end of the lesson students will be able to describe why enzymes are essential for maintaining life‑supporting reaction rates.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students answer a short question on why a reaction without a catalyst would be too slow. Collect responses.
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Explain activation energy and how enzymes lower it; introduce key terms (catalysis, specificity, regulation).
  3. Interactive slide activity (10'): Students match factors (temperature, pH, etc.) to their effects on enzyme structure and rate.
  4. Demonstration (10'): Show catalase breaking down hydrogen peroxide; discuss observable rate change.
  5. Guided practice (10'): Work through sample calculations using v = kcat[E][S] and discuss substrate saturation.
  6. Think‑pair‑share (5'): Students discuss how digestive enzymes illustrate the lesson’s main idea.
  7. Formative check (5'): Quick quiz via Kahoot or hand‑raised questions.
  8. Exit ticket (5'): Write one sentence summarising why enzymes are vital for life.
Conclusion:
Summarise that enzymes enable essential biochemical reactions to proceed at rates compatible with life by lowering activation energy and being finely regulated. Ask a few students to share their exit‑ticket sentences to reinforce the key message. Assign homework to research an enzyme of personal interest and prepare a brief description of its role and optimal conditions.