# Question #c96f9

Apr 10, 2015

Well, before answering the question, it's always useful to actually look at a Michaelis-Menten plot

The plot describes the rate of a catalyzed reaction, $v$, as a function of the concentration of the substrate, or $\left[S\right]$.

So, starting with the first option

• A straight line connecting the points

This is clearly not correct, since the plot actually uses a curve to connect the points.

• x-axis label of concentration units

As you can see, this is correct, the x-axis does indeed feature concentration units; more precisely, the x-axis of a Michaelis-Menten plot represents the concentration of the substrate, or $\left[S\right]$.

• Points of initial velocity measured at $\left[S\right]$ concentration

This one is correct as well, since various substrate concentration will have corresponding initial velocities on the y-axis of the plot.

• A value of ${K}_{m}$ half up the y-axis

I'm not sure about the wording on this one. ${K}_{m}$ is not on the y-axis, but its x-axis value does correspond to a value half way up the y-axis.

So, if the question implies that ${K}_{m}$ is half way on the y-axis, then it is incorrect. If it implies that ${K}_{m}$ corresponds to a value located half way up the y-axis, then it is correct.

In this case, it would correspond to ${V}_{\text{max}} / 2$, which is indeed half way between ${V}_{\text{max}}$ and $0$ on the y-axis.