Alternative analysis of the Michaelis–Menten equations

Abstract Courses in mathematical modelling are always in need of simple, illustrative examples. The Michaelis–Menten reaction kinetics equations have been considered to be a basic example of scaling and singular perturbation. However, the leading order approximations do not easily show the expected...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Teaching mathematics and its applications 2011-09, Vol.30 (3), p.138-146
Main Authors: Krogstad, Harald E., Dawed, Mohammed Yiha, Tegegne, Tadele Tesfa
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Equations (Mathematics)
Kinetics
Mathematical Models
Mathematics Instruction
Student Projects
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Abstract Courses in mathematical modelling are always in need of simple, illustrative examples. The Michaelis–Menten reaction kinetics equations have been considered to be a basic example of scaling and singular perturbation. However, the leading order approximations do not easily show the expected behaviour, and this note proposes a different perturbation approach to the same equations. The alternative analysis contains regular as well as singular perturbation and shows a simple case where a two-scale singular perturbation solution is insufficient. Additional analyses suitable for student projects are outlined.
ISSN:0268-3679
1471-6976
DOI:10.1093/teamat/hrr012