Michaelis constant

noun Mi·chae·lis constant \mī-ˈkā-ləs-, mə-\

Definition of MICHAELIS CONSTANT

: a constant that is a measure of the kinetics of an enzyme reaction and that is equivalent to the concentration of substrate at which the reaction takes place at one half its maximum rate

Origin of MICHAELIS CONSTANT

Leonor Michaelis †1949 American biochemist

First Known Use: 1930

Medical Dictionary

Michaelis constant

noun Mi·chae·lis constant \mī-ˈkā-ləs-, mə-\

Medical Definition of MICHAELIS CONSTANT

: a constant that is a measure of the kinetics of an enzyme reaction and that is equivalent to the concentration of substrate at which the reaction takes place at one half its maximum rate

Biographical Note for MICHAELIS CONSTANT

Michaelis, Leonor (1875–1949), German-American biochemist. Michaelis made major contributions to both biochemistry and medicine. In 1913 he derived the Michaelis constant, a measure of the affinity of an enzyme for the substance on which it acts.