What does a low Michaelis constant () signify regarding an enzyme's interaction with its substrate?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: D. High affinity of the enzyme for its substrate
- Step 1: The Michaelis constant is the substrate concentration at which the reaction velocity is half of its maximal rate ().
- Step 2: A low value indicates that only a small concentration of substrate is required to achieve half-saturation of the active sites.
- Step 3: Therefore, is inversely proportional to enzyme-substrate affinity; a low reflects high binding affinity.
Answer
High affinity of the enzyme for its substrate.
Why not the others: Low affinity corresponds to a large numerical value; Low maximum catalytic velocity is independent of and reflects ; Irreversible denaturation destroys catalytic competence completely.
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