enzyme inhibition

Enzyme inhibition occurs when a substance, called an inhibitor, interferes with the activity of an enzyme, which is a protein that helps speed up chemical reactions in the body. This can slow down or completely stop the reaction that the enzyme normally facilitates. Inhibitors can work in various ways, such as blocking the enzyme's active site (where it binds to other molecules) or altering its shape. Enzyme inhibition is important in medicine because many drugs are designed to inhibit specific enzymes to treat diseases, making it a key concept in biochemistry and pharmaceuticals.