Biochemistry · MCAT

MCAT Enzyme Kinetics and Lab Techniques

Enzyme kinetics models and common biochemistry lab techniques tested on the MCAT.

40 cards · basic cards · AI-written, checked twice. Edit anything.

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What is an enzyme?
A biological catalyst that speeds up a reaction without being consumed
What is the active site of an enzyme?
The region where substrate binds and the reaction is catalyzed
What is the Michaelis-Menten equation?
v = Vmax[S] / (Km + [S])
What does Km represent in enzyme kinetics?
The substrate concentration at which reaction velocity is half of Vmax
What does Vmax represent in enzyme kinetics?
The maximum reaction velocity when the enzyme is fully saturated with substrate
How does a low Km value relate to substrate affinity?
A low Km indicates high affinity between enzyme and substrate
What is a Lineweaver-Burk plot?
A double reciprocal plot of 1/v versus 1/[S] used to analyze enzyme kinetics
What does the y-intercept of a Lineweaver-Burk plot equal?
1/Vmax
What does the x-intercept of a Lineweaver-Burk plot equal?
-1/Km
Where does a competitive inhibitor bind?
The active site, competing directly with the substrate
How does a competitive inhibitor affect apparent Km?
It increases the apparent Km
How does a competitive inhibitor affect Vmax?
Vmax stays the same
How can competitive inhibition be overcome?
By increasing substrate concentration
Where does a noncompetitive inhibitor bind?
An allosteric site, not the active site
How does a noncompetitive inhibitor affect Vmax?
It decreases Vmax

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