This page poses questions to help you think about the model presented below and the requirements for running the model as a simulation using Stella.

What's the model?

The following model is of the conversion of glucose to glucose 6-phosphate. The enzyme that mediates this reaction is hexokinase.

What can we say about the model based on how it is drawn?

Questions to answer:

• Is it an open or closed system?
• Reversible or irreversible?
• Which variables (stocks) influence the rate of the reaction?
• Which rate law describes the reaction?

What information about this model is needed to run it in Stella?

Initial Concentrations: For the reaction to occur there must be some amount of material, molecules or stocks.

Rate law: Stella must be told how to move stocks of glucose to glucose 6-phosphate. Since we are looking at enzymatic reactions, the "how" is commonly stated in the form of an enzymatic rate law. Enzymatic rate laws are also known as kinetic models.

Rate constant: k is the common notation for a rate constant. A rate constant is most often used in the rate law known as the law of mass action.

What do the results suggest? Beware approximations

The results of a simulated model are a function of the structure of the model, the initial parameter values and the methods used to calculate the results. The linked page provides a series of simulation results. The structure of the model used to produce each result is the same.