Equations · equation
Michaelis–Menten Equation
Biophysics · 1913
- Equation
- v = V_max·[S] / (K_m + [S])
- Field
- Biophysics
- Named After
- Leonor Michaelis · Maud Menten
- Year
- 1913
Symbols
v reaction rate · [S] substrate concentration · V_max the enzyme's top speed, all sites busy · K_m the concentration at half speed — the enzyme's affinity signature
Significance
How enzymes work: fast when fed, saturating when swamped — a hyperbola that describes digestion, drug metabolism, and nearly every reaction keeping you alive. Menten was one of the first women in medical research; the equation still anchors pharmacology dosing.
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