How is a nonkinetic enzyme assay described?

A nonkinetic enzyme assay is typically characterized by making an initial absorbance measurement followed by a second reading after a specific period, such as 5 minutes. This format allows for the assessment of the enzyme activity at two distinct time points. By comparing the initial and post-reaction absorbance, one can determine the extent of the enzymatic reaction, which correlates with enzyme activity.

This method contrasts with other types of assays where continuous measurements are monitored or where multiple absorbance readings are taken simultaneously. In nonkinetic assays, the focus is on the change in absorbance over a set time interval rather than real-time tracking of the reaction, which is the hallmark of kinetic assays. Thus, the nature of the nonkinetic approach is embodied in the two distinct absorbance readings used to evaluate the reaction progress.