Is Vmax and km tested on the MCAT?

[axp107]

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According to EK, its not really tested.. however, I just came across a Kaplan passage automatically expecting you to know how Vmax and km are affected by competetive/noncompetetive inhibitors...

I'm hoping this is something I shouldn't expect.. its not on the AAMC study list at all. If it is tested, thats just plain ridiculous!

 

[RoadRunner17]

Spend a few minutes to learn it anyway. It won't hurt, and its not really that hard. Just know that Vmax occurs when all of the enzyme's binding sites are taken up by the substrate. If Km is large, that means it has a lower affinity for the substrate, and likewise, if Km is small, it means it has a higher affinity for the substrate.

If you look at the graph, Km is when velocity is 1/2 of Vmax. So if the enzyme binds very specifically to the substrate, you're going to reach Km faster. Ergo, Km is lower in that case.

I think thats really all you need to know. Might be good to spend a few minutes to learn Michaelis Menten but you won't have to derive any of the relations I think. Its stuff you should at least have seen before so it doesn't surprise you.