How do allosteric activators affect enzyme kinetics?
Practice Questions
Q1
How do allosteric activators affect enzyme kinetics?
Increase Vmax
Decrease Km
Both A and B
No effect on Vmax or Km
Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions
How do allosteric activators affect enzyme kinetics?
Step 1: Understand that enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body.
Step 2: Know that allosteric activators are molecules that bind to an enzyme at a site different from the active site.
Step 3: Recognize that when an allosteric activator binds to the enzyme, it changes the shape of the enzyme.
Step 4: This shape change can make the enzyme work better, which means it can process more substrate (the substance the enzyme acts on).
Step 5: Vmax is the maximum rate of reaction that an enzyme can achieve when fully activated. Allosteric activators can increase Vmax, meaning the enzyme can work faster.
Step 6: Km is the substrate concentration at which the reaction rate is half of Vmax. A lower Km means the enzyme can work effectively at lower substrate concentrations. Allosteric activators can decrease Km, making the enzyme more efficient.
Step 7: In summary, allosteric activators enhance enzyme activity by increasing Vmax and decreasing Km.
Allosteric Regulation – Allosteric activators bind to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, leading to a conformational change that increases enzyme activity.
Vmax and Km – Vmax is the maximum rate of reaction, while Km is the substrate concentration at which the reaction rate is half of Vmax; allosteric activators can modify these parameters.