Kinetics of biochemical reactions

3 important questions on Kinetics of biochemical reactions

To which type of interaction does mass-action kinetics apply?

Uncatalyzed reactions (in other words: spontaneous reactions)
  • intra-enzyme reactions, e.g. In the catalytic site, are also described by mass action kinetics

How is the characteristic time defined? Why is it relevant?

Time at which around 2/3 (37%) of protein complex has decayed. = After t = (1/k). Exponential decay.

The characteristic time is the most relevant time as it corresponds to the average life time of an system of identical molecules that decay by a first-order process.

A protein complex thus decays exponentially!

How is steady state defined?

A steady state is defined as the stationary state in which all of the concentrations of the molecules are constant (and at least one of the reactions rates is unequal to zero). A stationary state requires that all the mass balances equal zero.

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