Question

Is the km value constant for a particular enzyme? If yes then how does the km value changes during to competitive inhibition?

Answer 1

Km constant of an enzyme is the concentration of substrate at which the rate of reaction of that enzyme attained half of its maximum velocity. It exhibits catalytic activity of an enzyme.
As the name suggests, it is constant for a particular enzyme.


In case of competitive inhibition, the km value increases. This means that the rate of reaction reaches half of maximum value at a greater substrate concentration. This can be overcome by increase in concentration of substrate.