What is the effect of a competitive inhibitor on enzyme activity?

What is the effect of a competitive inhibitor on enzyme activity?

Step 1: Understand that enzymes are proteins that help speed up chemical reactions in the body.
Step 2: Know that enzymes have a specific area called the active site where the substrate (the molecule they act on) binds.
Step 3: Learn that a competitive inhibitor is a molecule that looks similar to the substrate and can also bind to the active site.
Step 4: Realize that when a competitive inhibitor binds to the active site, it blocks the substrate from attaching.
Step 5: Understand that because the substrate cannot bind, the overall reaction rate decreases.
Step 6: Conclude that the presence of a competitive inhibitor reduces enzyme activity by preventing the substrate from accessing the active site.

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