What is indicated by the relationship between Vmax and Km in the Michaelis-Menten equation?
Understand the Problem
The question is inquiring about the relationship between the maximum velocity (Vmax) and the Michaelis constant (Km) in the context of the Michaelis-Menten equation, which describes enzyme kinetics.
Answer
The relationship indicates the enzyme's affinity for its substrate.
The relationship between Vmax and Km indicates the enzyme's affinity for its substrate; Km is the substrate concentration needed to reach half of Vmax.
Answer for screen readers
The relationship between Vmax and Km indicates the enzyme's affinity for its substrate; Km is the substrate concentration needed to reach half of Vmax.
More Information
Km provides insight into the efficiency of enzyme-substrate interactions. Lower Km values suggest that the enzyme binds to the substrate more efficiently.
Tips
Confusing the definitions of Km and Vmax or misinterpreting their relationship are common mistakes. Remember, Km is the substrate concentration for half Vmax, not Vmax itself or a fraction of it.
Sources
- Michaelis-Menten Kinetics - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
- Enzyme Parameters and Michaelis-Menten Plots - Sketchy - sketchy.com
- Substrate Concentration - Worthington Biochemical - worthington-biochem.com
