Enzyme inhibitors Flashcards
What is competitive inhibition?
inhibition of an enzyme, where the inhibitor molecule has a similar shape to that of the substrate molecule.
What is an inhibitor?
A substance that reduces or stops a reaction.
What is a non-competitive inhibitor?
Inhibition of an enzyme, where the competitor molecule attaches to a part of the enzyme molecule attaches to a part of the enzyme molecule but not the active site.
What does a competitive inhibitor fit into to prevent an enzyme substrate complex from forming?
the active site of the enzyme
The amount of inhibition of a competitive inhibitor relies on what?
The relative concentration of substrate and inhibition molecules.
What does an increase of substrate concentration do to the effect of a competitive inhibitor?
It effectively ‘dilutes’ the inhibitor.
Is the competitive inhibitor changed by the enzyme?
No
Competitive inhibitors reduce the number of what?
Free enzyme active sites available
Are most competitive inhibitors reversible or irreversible?
Reversible
If a competitive inhibitor binds irreversibly to an enzyme what is this called?
An inactivator
What don’t non-competitive inhibitors do compared to competitive inhibitors?
Compete with the substrate molecules for a place on the active site.
Where do non-competitive inhibitors attach?
To the allosteric site
What happens when they attach to the allosteric site?
They change the tertiary structure of the enzyme’s active site
Distortion of the active site of the enzyme prevents what from forming?
Enzyme substrate complexes
What happens to the maximum rate of reaction when a non-competitive inhibitor is present?
The maximum rate of reaction decreases.
