What is the difference between competitive and non-competitive inhibitors?

What is the difference between competitive and non-competitive inhibitors?

Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site of an enzyme, while non-competitive inhibitors bind to a different site.

Can you give me an example of each type of inhibitor?

Sure! An example of a competitive inhibitor is methotrexate, while an example of a non-competitive inhibitor is lithium.

How do these inhibitors affect enzyme activity?

Competitive inhibitors decrease the rate of reaction by competing with the substrate, while non-competitive inhibitors reduce the maximum rate.

Are there any real-world applications for these inhibitors?

Yes, competitive inhibitors are often used in drug design, while non-competitive inhibitors can be important in regulating metabolic pathways.