Biology Enzymes MDCAT 2019
PMDC Verified Question 66 of 79
A student of chemical engineering mistakenly engulfed the toxic compound 'A' which was a potent inhibitor of certain enzyme. He was immediately brought to hospital where the doctor injected intravenously substrate 'B' to minimize the toxic effect of compound 'A'. His life was saved from serious damages. The treatment method shows that compound 'A' was a ____ inhibitors.
A
Irreversible
B
Competitive reversible
C
Temperature sensitive
D
Non-competitive reversible
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: Competitive reversible
Concept:

The defining clinical feature of competitive inhibition is that it can be overcome by flooding the system with excess natural substrate.

Solution:

  • The toxic compound 'A' was blocking the active sites of a vital enzyme.
  • By injecting a massive dose of normal substrate 'B', the doctors drastically shifted the concentration ratio.
  • The abundant substrate 'B' out-competed the toxic inhibitor 'A' for the active sites, allowing the enzyme to resume its life-saving function.
  • This proves the toxin formed weak bonds and fought for the active site, meaning it was a competitive reversible inhibitor.


Why other options are incorrect:

If it were irreversible, the enzyme would be permanently dead, and adding substrate would do nothing. If it were non-competitive, it would be bound elsewhere changing the active site shape, and flooding substrate into a broken active site would also fail.

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