What Does a Large Kcat Mean

One way to measure the catalytic efficiency of a given enzyme is to determine the kcat/km ratio. … The greater the ratio, the higher the rate of catalysis is; conversely, the lower the ratio, the slower the catalysis is.

What does a high kcat km mean?

One way to measure the catalytic efficiency of a given enzyme is to determine the kcat/km ratio. … The greater the ratio, the higher the rate of catalysis is; conversely, the lower the ratio, the slower the catalysis is.

What does it mean when kcat increases?

It is (kr+kcat)/kf. To compensate for the higher Km, kcat or the turnover number or conversion of the Enzyme substrate complex to enzyme plus product must increase if the kcat/Km is the same. So in essence what you say is correct as either kf must go down, or kr must go up to make a higher Km, if kcat is higher.

James H. Sterling

James H. Sterling

Environmental Science & Climate Journalist

James Sterling reports on renewable energy developments, climate policy, ecological conservation, and green tech innovations around the globe.

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