Answer to Question #101208 in Chemistry for Abhishek

Question

a) What is Michaelis-Menton equation? Explain the significance of Vmax and Km is this equation.

b) What is the difference between macrominerals and trace elements? Write the main functions of any two trace elements.

Answer 1

a) Michaelis-Menten equation is the rate equation that models the kinetics of enzymatic reaction. The equation describes the rate of reaction depending on the substrate concentration. The reactin can be written as:

V = V_max × [S] / (K_m + S),

where V - the initial reaction rate, V_max - the maximum reaction rate, [S] - the substrate concentration, K_m - Michaelis constant.

Michaelis constant (K_m) equals the substrate concentration when the reaction velocity equals half V_max. V_max is the reaction velocity when the enzyme is saturated with the substrate. K_m and V_max are enzyme-specific parameters.

b) Macrominerals comprise elements with the daily required dose of >100 mg. These elements include sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chloride, and sulfur. Trace elements include minerals with the daily required dose of <100 mg. These elements involve iron, copper, manganese, iodine, cobalt, zinc, fluoride, and selenium. The main function of iron is the binding and transportation of oxygen (O₂), whereas fluoride is a component of bones and tooth enamel.