Researchers added inhibitor X to an enzyme assay. Both curves approach the same Vmax at high substrate concentrations, but the inhibited curve has a higher Km.
What type of inhibition is most consistent with these observations?
- A
Irreversible covalent inhibition
- B
Noncompetitive inhibition
- Ccheck_circle
Competitive inhibition
- D
Allosteric activation
Explanation
Competitive inhibitors bind the active site, raising the apparent Km but not changing Vmax because excess substrate can outcompete the inhibitor.