ENZYME INHIBITION
Enzymes catalyze virtually every process in the cell. The catalytic
activity of certain enzymes is altered by certain inorganic and organic
molecules called modifiers. Those molecules which increase the
enzyme activity are called activators (Positive modifiers) and those
which decrease the enzyme activity are called inhibitors ( Negative
modifiers).
Compounds which convert the enzymes into inactive substances and
thus adversely affect the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reaction are called
enzyme inhibitors. Such a process is known as enzyme inhibition. Two
broad classes of enzyme inhibitions are generally recognized :
Reversible and Irreversible , depending on whether the enzyme-
inhibitor complex dissociates rapidly or very slowly.
