[Campbell Biology P.207] Which of the following statements accurately describes the distinct... | Practice Question
Which of the following statements accurately describes the distinction between competitive and noncompetitive enzyme inhibitors?
A: Competitive inhibitors bind to the active site and can be overcome by increasing substrate concentration, while noncompetitive inhibitors bind elsewhere on the enzyme, changing its shape, and cannot be overcome by increasing substrate concentration.
B: Noncompetitive inhibitors bind to the active site and can be overcome by increasing substrate concentration, while competitive inhibitors bind elsewhere on the enzyme, changing its shape, and cannot be overcome by increasing substrate concentration.
C: Both competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors bind to the active site, but only competitive inhibitors can be overcome by increasing substrate concentration.
D: Neither competitive nor noncompetitive inhibitors bind to the active site; they both inhibit enzyme activity by changing the enzyme's overall structure.
Explanation
As stated in the text, competitive inhibitors resemble the substrate and compete for admission into the active site, and their effect can be overcome by increasing substrate concentration. In contrast, noncompetitive inhibitors bind to another part of the enzyme, causing a shape change that makes the active site less effective, and cannot be overcome by increasing substrate concentration.