Concept:Competitive inhibition relies on molecular mimicry. Because the bonds formed are temporary, the system can be manipulated by changing concentrations.
Solution:- Competitive inhibitors mimic the substrate and bind to the active site using weak, non-covalent interactions (like hydrogen bonds).
- Because these bonds are weak, the inhibitor frequently attaches and detaches.
- If the normal substrate concentration is heavily increased, it will outcompete the inhibitor for the active site, proving that the inhibition is reversible.
Why other options are incorrect:Inhibitors decelerate, not accelerate, reactions. It competes with the
substrate (for access to the enzyme), it does not compete with the enzyme itself. By definition, true competitive inhibitors are reversible (unlike heavy metals).
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