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Multiple Choice
In enzyme kinetics, how does increasing substrate concentration generally affect the rate of product formation and enzyme activity, assuming enzyme concentration is constant?
A
The reaction rate increases with substrate concentration until it reaches a maximum velocity (V_{max}), after which it levels off.
B
The reaction rate decreases as substrate concentration increases due to enzyme inhibition.
C
The reaction rate remains constant regardless of substrate concentration.
D
The reaction rate decreases initially and then increases as substrate concentration increases.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the relationship between substrate concentration and enzyme activity: Enzyme kinetics is governed by the Michaelis-Menten model, which describes how the rate of product formation changes with varying substrate concentrations when enzyme concentration is constant.
Recall the concept of Vmax: Vmax represents the maximum velocity of the reaction when all enzyme active sites are saturated with substrate. At this point, increasing substrate concentration further will not increase the reaction rate.
Consider the initial phase of the reaction: At low substrate concentrations, the reaction rate increases proportionally with substrate concentration because more substrate molecules are available to bind to the enzyme's active sites.
Analyze the saturation effect: As substrate concentration continues to increase, the enzyme active sites become saturated, and the reaction rate approaches Vmax. Beyond this point, adding more substrate does not increase the rate of product formation.
Rule out incorrect options: The reaction rate does not decrease with increasing substrate concentration unless there is enzyme inhibition. It also does not remain constant or decrease initially and then increase. The correct explanation aligns with the Michaelis-Menten model, where the rate increases until it reaches Vmax.