Why is the dissociation rate constant (kd) critical in evaluating the stability of a protein-ligand complex?

• A. kd is not relevant to the stability of the complex.
• B. A higher kd indicates a more stable complex, as the ligand is more likely to dissociate from the protein.
• C. kd only affects the initial binding of the ligand to the protein.
• D. A lower kd indicates a more stable complex, as the ligand is less likely to dissociate from the protein.

Answer: (D)