What can be inferred about an enzyme with a Km of $10^{-5}M$ compared to one with a Km of $10^{-7}M$?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking us to compare the affinity of two enzymes based on their Km values. The Km (Michaelis constant) is an indicator of how well an enzyme binds to its substrate, with lower values indicating a higher affinity. We will analyze the implications of the given Km values to determine the correct inference.
Answer
An enzyme with a Km of $10^{-5}M$ has a lower affinity for its substrate compared to one with a Km of $10^{-7}M$.
An enzyme with a Km of $10^{-5}M$ has a lower affinity for its substrate compared to an enzyme with a Km of $10^{-7}M$.
Answer for screen readers
An enzyme with a Km of $10^{-5}M$ has a lower affinity for its substrate compared to an enzyme with a Km of $10^{-7}M$.
More Information
The Michaelis constant (Km) is a measure of an enzyme's affinity for its substrate: a lower Km indicates higher affinity, while a higher Km indicates lower affinity.
Tips
A common mistake is to confuse the direction of the relationship: lower Km means higher affinity, not lower.
Sources
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information