Features of competitive inhibition is/are:
**Core Concept**
Competitive inhibition is a type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor binds to the active site of an enzyme, thereby competing with the substrate for binding. This type of inhibition is reversible, and the inhibitor can be displaced by increasing the concentration of the substrate.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
In competitive inhibition, the inhibitor binds to the active site of the enzyme, thereby reducing the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate. This results in a decrease in the enzyme's activity, which can be overcome by increasing the concentration of the substrate. The inhibitor and substrate compete for binding to the active site, hence the name competitive inhibition. The enzyme activity is not altered, but the maximum velocity (Vmax) of the reaction is decreased.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** Non-competitive inhibition is incorrect because in non-competitive inhibition, the inhibitor binds to a site other than the active site, resulting in a decrease in enzyme activity without affecting the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate.
**Option B:** Uncompetitive inhibition is incorrect because in uncompetitive inhibition, the inhibitor binds to the enzyme-substrate complex, resulting in a decrease in both the affinity of the enzyme for the substrate and the maximum velocity of the reaction.
**Option C:** Allosteric inhibition is incorrect because allosteric inhibition involves the binding of an inhibitor to a site other than the active site, resulting in a change in the conformation of the enzyme and a decrease in its activity.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key characteristic of competitive inhibition is that it can be overcome by increasing the concentration of the substrate. This is a useful clinical application, as increasing the dose of a medication can sometimes overcome competitive inhibition caused by a specific inhibitor.
**Correct Answer:** B.