Lesson Plan

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Lesson Plan
Grade: Date: 25/02/2026
Subject: Biology
Lesson Topic: explain the effects of reversible inhibitors, both competitive and non-competitive, on enzyme activity
Learning Objective/s:
  • Describe how competitive and non‑competitive inhibitors affect enzyme kinetics.
  • Explain the impact of each inhibitor type on Vmax and Km.
  • Interpret Michaelis–Menten graphs for reversible inhibition.
  • Predict how changes in substrate concentration influence inhibition.
  • Apply knowledge of reversible inhibition to evaluate drug or toxin effects.
Materials Needed:
  • Projector or interactive whiteboard
  • PowerPoint slides with diagrams and equations
  • Handout summarising inhibition types and key equations
  • Sample data set for graphing Michaelis–Menten curves
  • Clickers or online polling tool for quick checks
  • Whiteboard and markers
 Introduction:
Begin with a quick poll asking who has heard of enzyme inhibitors in medicine. Recall that enzymes lower activation energy and that inhibitors can bind reversibly. Today we will identify how competitive and non‑competitive inhibitors change enzyme activity and set the success criteria: students will be able to explain kinetic effects and sketch the corresponding curves.
Lesson Structure:
  1. Do‑now (5'): Students answer a Kahoot question on basic enzyme concepts (check prior knowledge).
  2. Mini‑lecture (10'): Define reversible inhibition, contrast competitive vs non‑competitive, and display Michaelis–Menten diagrams (direct instruction).
  3. Guided practice (12'): Work through the inhibition equations on handouts, calculating new Km or Vmax with sample inhibitor concentrations (collaborative).
  4. Interactive simulation (8'): Use an online enzyme‑kinetics simulator to visualise curve shifts; students record observations (technology‑enhanced).
  5. Comparison activity (8'): In pairs, complete a comparison table (binding site, Vmax, Km) and justify differences (formative).
  6. Exit ticket (5'): Write one sentence describing how substrate concentration can overcome competitive inhibition but not non‑competitive inhibition (summative).
Conclusion:
Reversible inhibitors alter enzyme rates without permanent damage; competitive inhibitors raise Km while non‑competitive inhibitors lower Vmax. Students submit an exit ticket to demonstrate understanding, and for homework they will analyse a short case study of a drug acting as a competitive inhibitor.