Question:

In an enzymatic reaction, most appropriately, Km refers to __________.

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Km has units of concentration and marks the substrate level at half of Vmax.
Updated On: Jul 4, 2026
  • Enzyme concentration
  • Product concentration
  • Ratio of enzyme concentration to substrate concentration
  • Substrate concentration
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: The Michaelis constant, Km, is defined in Michaelis-Menten enzyme kinetics as the substrate concentration at which the reaction velocity is exactly half of the maximum velocity (Vmax).
Step 2: Km is expressed in units of concentration (such as molarity), reflecting the affinity of an enzyme for its substrate, a lower Km means higher affinity.
Step 3: It is not simply the enzyme concentration, product concentration, or a ratio of enzyme to substrate concentration, those quantities do not carry the same meaning or units as Km.
Step 4: So the most appropriate description of Km is a substrate concentration value, specifically the one at half maximal velocity.
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