What is the relationship between the kinetic constants kcat and Km in enzyme catalysis?
In enzyme catalysis, the kinetic constant kcat represents the turnover number, or the rate at which an enzyme can convert substrate into product. The Michaelis constant Km represents the substrate concentration at which the enzyme works at half of its maximum speed. The relationship between kcat and Km is important because it helps determine the efficiency of an enzyme. Generally, a lower Km value indicates a higher affinity of the enzyme for its substrate, while a higher kcat value indicates a faster turnover rate.