A Level Biology Practice Exam

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Master the A Level Biology Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to ace your test. Start your journey to excellence!

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What is the role of an inhibitor in enzyme reactions?

To enhance the rate of the reaction
To prevent or reduce the rate of enzyme activity
To stabilize the enzyme structure
To transport substrates to the enzyme

The correct answer is: To prevent or reduce the rate of enzyme activity

The role of an inhibitor in enzyme reactions is indeed to prevent or reduce the rate of enzyme activity. Inhibitors can bind to the enzyme or the enzyme-substrate complex, resulting in decreased enzymatic function. This can occur in several ways, such as competitive inhibition, where the inhibitor competes with the substrate for the active site, or non-competitive inhibition, where the inhibitor binds to a different part of the enzyme, altering its shape and functionality. Inhibitors are crucial for regulating metabolic pathways in biological systems, ensuring that enzyme activity is finely tuned based on cellular needs. This regulation can affect overall metabolic processes, allowing cells to respond to changing environments or internal conditions effectively.