Chapter 19, Problem 19.34QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason behind no change in rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction when the substrate concentration is made very large has to be determined.

Concept Introduction:

The general enzyme-catalyzed chemical reaction is given as follows:

  $a\mathrm{E}+a\text{S}\rightleftharpoons b\text{P}$

The expression to calculate the equilibrium constant for the above reaction can be written as follows:

  $\begin{array}{c}{K}_{\text{eq}}=\frac{{\left[\text{product}\right]}^b}{{\left[\text{reactant}\right]}^a}\\ =\frac{{\left[\text{P}\right]}^b}{{\left[\text{S}\right]}^a{\left[\text{E}\right]}^a}\end{array}$

The physical significance of this equilibrium constant value is that it is the measure of the relative stability of the reactant and products.