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Theoretical equations for describing steady state biological rates and their application in analysing physiological differences among animals Borgmann, Uwe

Abstract

The rates of complex multi-enzyme systems, which may contain diffusion processes, can be written in a standard polynomial form. Approximation of this formula leads to the derivation of equations which provide a theoretical basis for the use of log-log plots (for rate-size and rate-substrate relationships), and Arrhenius plots (for rate-temperature relationships) in biology. Sharp discontinuities or "breaks" on such plots can be explained by summations of simple functions and the power to which these must be raised prior to summation. It has been found unnecessary to have large enthalpies (or activation energies) to produce sharp breaks on Arrhenius plots of the rates of complicated biological systems.

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