Michaelis-Menten Kinetics

Michaelis-Menten kinetics describes how enzymes accelerate chemical reactions. It explains that the reaction rate depends on the substrate concentration—the more substrate available, the faster the reaction, up to a point. Initially, adding substrate increases the reaction quickly, but as enzymes become saturated, the rate levels off, reaching a maximum speed called Vmax. The point where the reaction rate is half of Vmax is called Km, indicating the enzyme’s affinity for the substrate. This model helps us understand enzyme efficiency and how reactions are regulated in biological systems.