Question:medium

What is the effect of an increase in substrate concentration on an enzyme-catalyzed reaction?

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Enzyme saturation occurs when all active sites are occupied by substrate molecules, making \( V_{\text{max}} \) the upper limit of the reaction rate.
Updated On: Jan 13, 2026
  • The rate of reaction decreases.
  • The rate of reaction increases.
  • The rate of reaction remains unchanged.
  • The enzyme becomes inactive.
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The correct Option is : 2

Elevating substrate concentration in enzyme-catalyzed reactions typically escalates the reaction rate. This occurs as a greater number of substrate molecules become available to bind with enzyme active sites, thereby forming more enzyme-substrate complexes.
This rate augmentation persists only until a plateau is reached, identified as the maximum velocity (\( V_{\text{max}} \)). Subsequent to \( V_{\text{max}} \), the reaction rate stabilizes because all enzyme active sites are fully occupied; additional substrate will not further accelerate the process.

Michaelis-Menten Kinetics: \[ \text{Rate} = \frac{V_{\text{max}} [S]}{K_m + [S]} \] As \([S]\) rises, the rate asymptotically approaches \( V_{\text{max}} \). 

Conclusion: An increase in substrate concentration boosts reaction rate until enzyme saturation is achieved, at which point the rate remains constant.

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