chemistry / Chemistry of Life / free
Biochemistry
Understand the reactions that let cells store, move, and use energy.
Follow the cause1 / 3
A substrate finds a selective site. Shape, charge, hydrogen bonds, and hydrophobic interactions make some encounters productive.
enzyme actionv = 49% of Vmax · binding
Focus the idea
substrate58 µM
apparent Kₘ61 µM
Vmax100% (unchanged)
velocity49% of Vmax
More substrate raises encounter frequency until active sites approach saturation. A competitive inhibitor raises the apparent Kₘ from 32 to 61 µM but leaves Vmax at 100%, so enough substrate can still outcompete it.
The Michaelis–Menten curve is a simplified steady-state model with Kₘ = 32 µM and Kᵢ = 20 µM for a competitive inhibitor. Real enzymes can have multiple substrates, cooperativity, allostery, crowding, and regulation.
04 / PRACTICE
0 / 3 checkedMake the chemistry yours.
Answer from the model, then use the explanation to connect the particle picture to the chemical rule.
CHECK 1 / 3