Chapter 19, Problem 19.83QP

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The term competitive enzyme inhibition has to be defined.

Concept Introduction:

The catalytic activity of an enzyme may be reduced drastically when certain chemicals intervene and compete with the natural substrate of the enzyme to bind at the active site. These chemicals are referred to as enzyme inhibitors. Certain drug molecule such as penicillin serves as a useful inhibitor as they inhibit the synthesis of bacterial cell walls. Enzyme inhibition can occur via different mechanisms such as irreversible inhibition and reversible competitive inhibition.