Inhibitor

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Inhibitor

Inhibitor (/ɪnˈhɪbɪtər/) is a term used in the field of biology and chemistry to refer to a substance that decreases or prevents a particular reaction or process from occurring.

Etymology

The term 'inhibitor' is derived from the Latin word 'inhibere', which means 'to hold in' or 'to restrain'. It was first used in the scientific context in the late 19th century.

Types of Inhibitors

There are several types of inhibitors, including:

  • Competitive inhibitor: A substance that binds to the active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding and thus inhibiting the reaction.
  • Non-competitive inhibitor: A substance that binds to an enzyme at a site other than the active site, changing the shape of the enzyme and preventing the substrate from binding.
  • Uncompetitive inhibitor: A substance that binds to the enzyme-substrate complex, preventing the complex from releasing the products and thus inhibiting the reaction.
  • Reversible inhibitor: An inhibitor that can be removed from the enzyme, allowing the reaction to proceed.
  • Irreversible inhibitor: An inhibitor that permanently binds to the enzyme, permanently preventing the reaction.

Related Terms

  • Enzyme: A protein that catalyzes a specific biochemical reaction.
  • Substrate: The molecule upon which an enzyme acts.
  • Active site: The region of an enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction.

See Also

External links

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