Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
5 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
What are enzyme inhibitors? |
Substances that directly or indirectly interfere with the functioning of the active site of an enzyme and so reduce its activity |
|
|
What are the two types of reversible inhibitors? |
Competitive inhibitors Non-competitive inhibitors |
|
|
What is a competitive inhibitor? |
A substance that binds to the active site of an enzyme |
|
|
Why is it a competitive inhibitor? |
Competitive inhibitors have a molecular shape similar to the substrate This allows them to occupy the active site of an enzyme, competing with the substrate
However an inhibitor is not permanently bound to the active site so once it leaves, another molecule can take its place until all substrate molecules occupy the active site |
|
|
How do non-competitive inhibitors work? |
They attach themselves to the enzyme at a site which isn't the active site named the allosteric site Upon attaching to the enzyme, the inhibitor alters the shape of the enzyme's active site so that the substrate can no longer occupy it The enzyme can no longer function which means less enzyme-substrate complexes form |
