Chemical kinetics concepts are crucial for the understanding of biochemistry. Most biochemical reactions are enzyme catalyzed, for example. There are many levels of complexity in enzyme catalysis involving mode, mechanism and feedback, which we will discuss in more depth when we reach the chapter on Proteins.
For now, just remember that the Michaelis-Menten equation expresses the relationship between the concentration of the reagent substrate and reaction rate. When the concentration is small, the rate is proportional to substrate concentration. When the concentration of substrate becomes so large as to saturate the enzyme, the rate is maximal, independent of substrate concentration. That is the big Michaelis-Menten concept that the MCAT expects you to be familiar with.
For now, just remember that the Michaelis-Menten equation expresses the relationship between the concentration of the reagent substrate and reaction rate. When the concentration is small, the rate is proportional to substrate concentration. When the concentration of substrate becomes so large as to saturate the enzyme, the rate is maximal, independent of substrate concentration. That is the big Michaelis-Menten concept that the MCAT expects you to be familiar with.
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