Question

Assuming the amino acid transport protein complex examined in Figure 1 follows standard Michaelis-Menten kinetics, Kt is equal to:

A. two times the maximal transport capacity.
B. the substrate concentration at one-half the maximal transport capacity.
C. the transport capacity at one-half the substrate concentration.
D. the substrate concentration at one-third the overall transport rate.

Answer 1

Kt, which is equivalent to Km in enzymatic reactions, represents the substrate concentration at which the transport rate of an amino acid transport protein complex is at half its maximum capacity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question pertains to the Michaelis-Menten kinetics of an amino acid transport protein complex. According to the Michaelis-Menten kinetics, the Michaelis constant, Km, is defined as the substrate concentration ([S]) at which the reaction rate is half the maximum velocity (Vmax).

Therefore, Kt, analogous to Km for a transport system, is equal to the substrate concentration at one-half the maximal transport capacity. This means that the correct answer is B: the substrate concentration at one-half the maximal transport capacity.