Rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction as a function of varying reactant concentra
ID: 13598 • Letter: R
Question
Rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction as a function of varying reactant
concentration, with the concentration of enzyme constant.
In the figure, why does the reaction rate plateau at higher reactant concentrations?
The reaction nears equilibrium at high reactant concentrations. The rate of the reverse reaction increases with reactant concentration. Most enzyme molecules are occupied by substrate at high reactant concentrations. Feedback inhibition by product occurs at high reactant concentrations. The activation energy for the reaction increases with reactant concentration.
Explanation / Answer
Answer:
Most enzyme molecules are occupied by substrate at high reactant concentrations.
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Explanation:
If you raise the concentration of substrate, that will occupy more enzyme molecules and increase the speed of the reaction. Of course, the rate will eventually die down as the velocity nears VMax, the maximum velocity at which the reaction may go due to the limited amount of enzyme. This can be shown further if you add in a competitive inhibitor. The competitive inhibitors will compete with these substrates. Hence, the enzyme molecules will be less occupied by actual substrates and the rate will be lowered.
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