Enzyme Inhibition: Competitive, Non-Competitive and Uncompetitive
Biophysical Chemistry · Entrance Exams Enzyme Inhibition: Competitive, Non-Competitive and Uncompetitive Three inhibition types, distinguished not by a definition to memorise but by what happens to Km and Vmax — and by where the lines cross. BSc & MSc · Chemical Kinetics · Concept The short answer: A competitive inhibitor binds the free enzyme at the active site, so more substrate overcomes it — apparent Km rises, Vmax is unchanged. An uncompetitive inhibitor binds only the enzyme–substrate complex, lowering both. A non-competitive inhibitor binds either form equally, lowering Vmax while leaving Km alone. On a Lineweaver–Burk plot each gives a…