Turnover number

Definition

In the context of enzymes, including those related to amino acids, peptides, and proteins in organic chemistry, the turnover number is the maximum number of substrate molecules an enzyme molecule can convert to product per unit time. It serves as a measure of the catalytic efficiency of an enzyme.

Related terms

Enzyme kinetics: The study of the rates at which enzymes convert substrates into products, focusing on understanding their reaction rates and mechanisms.

Substrate: A specific reactant molecule that an enzyme acts upon, fitting into the enzyme's active site where the chemical reaction occurs.

Catalytic efficiency: A measure combining the concepts of how quickly and how effectively an enzyme can bind to a substrate and convert it to product, typically assessed by parameters such as Km (Michaelis constant) and Vmax (maximum velocity)