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Which enzyme has a higher Km: glucokinase or hexokinase?
1) Glucokinase
2) Hexokinase

1 Answer

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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.

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