Deactivation theory.

A general model of enzyme deactivations involving unimolecular processes is introduced. For most mechanisms of this type, the parameters of the general model can be expressed in terms of actual physical parameters. The number of physical parameters that can be determined from the deactivation data cannot exceed the number of independent constants in the general model. When there is an excess of physical parameters, then some parameters must be determined from independent methods of analysis. If this is not possible, then some parameters must be left as lumped parameters or global parameters. The general form of the model can be useful in determining the number of independent, potentially active forms of the enzyme present during deactivation. Some exceptions to the general model are due to higher-order processes such as dissociation, autolysis, and biological contamination.