Question

How would you describe the relative proportions of substrate and enzyme in a biological reaction?

Answer 1

Enzymes and substrates are the key factors of any biological reactions. Concentration of enzymes and substrates determines the rate of chemical reactions. Type of enzymes is specific for the particular type of substrates. Enzymes has reaction binding sites for substrates. Substrate binds with certain sites in enzymes and it forms enzyme substrate complex and forms a final product. The rate of reaction increases with increase in substrate concentration and it will attain a saturation point where no more enzymes will be available for the free substrates to bind. Hence, enzyme active sites will be limited, so increase in further substrate concentration will not change reaction rates.