Question

What is Michaelis Menten constant?

Answer 1

MICHAELIS MENTEN HYPOTHESIS

1. Michaelis-Menten constant is defined as the substrate concentration (expressed in moles/litre) to produce half-maximum velocity in an enzyme catalyzed  reaction.
2. It is denoted by the symbol K_m.
3. It indicates that 50% (half) of the enzyme molecules are bound to the substrate molecules when the substrate concentration equals to the K_m value.
4. K_m=1/2 V_max.
5. K_m value varies from substrate to substrate because different enzymes differ in their affinities towards different substrates.
6. K_m value is constant and a characteristic feature of a particular enzyme.
7. It is an indicative of the degree of strength of the Enzyme-Substrate (ES) complex.
8. A lower K_m value indicates strong affinity between enzyme and substrate, whereas a high K_m value reflects weak affinity between them.
9. The K_m values are in the range of 10^-5 to 10^-2 moles.