For
systems in which ligands
of a particular kind bind to a receptor
in a solvent there will be a characteristic frequency with which existing ligand-receptor
complexes dissociate as a result of thermal excitation, and a characteristic
frequency with which empty receptors
bind ligands
as a result of Brownian encounters, forming new complexes. The frequency of binding is proportional to the concentration of the ligand in solution. The dissociation
constant is the magnitude of the ligand
concentration at which the probability that the receptor
will be found occupied is 1/2.
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