162k views
0 votes
Which enzyme has a higher Km: glucokinase or hexokinase?
1) Glucokinase
2) Hexokinase

1 Answer

4 votes

Final answer:

Glucokinase has a higher Km value compared to hexokinase, indicating its lower affinity for glucose, which correlates with its role in the liver when glucose levels are high.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzyme with a higher Km is glucokinase. The Km value is a measure of an enzyme's affinity for its substrate, with a lower Km indicating a higher affinity. Since hexokinase has a higher affinity for glucose, it is able to convert glucose at a faster rate than glucokinase, particularly at lower glucose concentrations. Thus, glucokinase, which is expressed in tissues like the liver where it functions when blood glucose levels are high, has a higher Km compared to hexokinase, which is found in nearly all tissues of the body.

User Tony Casale
by
7.2k points
Welcome to QAmmunity.org, where you can ask questions and receive answers from other members of our community.