5. Glossary

rapid reaction blocking method; stopped flow

A technique based on the projection of monochromatic light onto the cell containing the sample under study. The change in signal (fluorescence, absorbance or circular dichoism) is measured during the short time between the start of the reaction between the two reagents and its rapid cessation. Data can be obtained on reaction speed, on the mechanism followed, or on short-lived intermediates.

time-resolved mixing; quench flow

Small volumes of solution are rapidly mixed and pushed through a loop. After a given time, the reaction is stopped by adding a chemical reagent. Samples, corresponding to different reaction times, can be used to establish reaction kinetics using an appropriate analytical technique.

Michaelis and Menten kinetics; Michaelis et...