4.3 QR

Question 1

What is an inhibitor?

Answer 1

Factor that reduces rate of reaction

Question 2

How does competitive inhibition work?

Answer 2

1. A molecule with a similar shape to substrate can fit into active site
2. This blocks the substrate from entering the active site, so enzyme doesn’t catalyse
3. Enzyme can’t carry out its function - inhibited
4. Rate of reaction is slowed as substrates bind less often to active sites

Question 3

What is a competitive inhibitor?

Answer 3

Competes with substrate to bind to an enzyme’s active site

only temporary so effect is reversible

Question 4

How does non-competitive inhibition work?

Answer 4

1. Inhibitor binds to allosteric site
2. Inhibitor changes enzyme’s tertiary structure so active site changes shape
3. Active site no longer complementary to substrate so can’t bind to substrate
4. Enzyme can’t carry out its function - inhibited