Inhibitor

Definition

An inhibitor is a molecule that binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity, either by blocking the active site or changing its shape so that it cannot bind to its substrate effectively.

Related terms

Competitive Inhibitor: A competitive inhibitor competes with the substrate for binding at the enzyme's active site because it has similar structural features.

Noncompetitive Inhibitor: A noncompetitive inhibitor binds to another part of an enzyme rather than its active site, causing changes in shape that prevent proper functioning.

Allosteric Regulation:

Allosteric regulation occurs when a molecule binds to a site on an enzyme other than the active site, resulting in changes to the enzyme's activity.