Table of contents

1. Introduction to Biology2h 42m
2. Chemistry3h 37m
3. Water1h 26m
4. Biomolecules2h 23m
5. Cell Components2h 26m
6. The Membrane2h 31m
7. Energy and Metabolism2h 0m
8. Respiration2h 40m
9. Photosynthesis2h 49m
10. Cell Signaling59m
11. Cell Division2h 47m
12. Meiosis2h 0m
13. Mendelian Genetics4h 44m
14. DNA Synthesis2h 27m
15. Gene Expression3h 6m
16. Regulation of Expression3h 31m
17. Viruses37m
- Viruses
  37m
18. Biotechnology2h 58m
19. Genomics17m
- Genomes
  17m
20. Development1h 5m
21. Evolution3h 1m
22. Evolution of Populations3h 53m
23. Speciation1h 37m
24. History of Life on Earth2h 6m
25. Phylogeny2h 31m
26. Prokaryotes4h 59m
27. Protists1h 12m
28. Plants1h 22m
29. Fungi36m
- Fungi
  19m
- Fungi Reproduction
  17m
30. Overview of Animals34m
- Overview of Animals
  34m
31. Invertebrates1h 2m
32. Vertebrates50m
33. Plant Anatomy1h 3m
34. Vascular Plant Transport1h 2m
- Water Potential
  1h 2m
35. Soil37m
- Soil and Nutrients
  20m
- Nitrogen Fixation
  16m
36. Plant Reproduction47m
- Flowers
  33m
- Seeds
  14m
37. Plant Sensation and Response1h 9m
38. Animal Form and Function1h 19m
39. Digestive System1h 10m
- Digestion
  1h 3m
- Blood Sugar Homeostasis
  7m
40. Circulatory System1h 49m
41. Immune System1h 12m
42. Osmoregulation and Excretion50m
- Osmoregulation and Excretion
  50m
43. Endocrine System1h 4m
- Endocrine System
  1h 4m
44. Animal Reproduction1h 2m
- Animal Reproduction
  1h 2m
45. Nervous System1h 55m
- Neurons and Action Potentials
  1h 8m
- Central and Peripheral Nervous System
  46m
46. Sensory Systems46m
- Sensory System
  46m
47. Muscle Systems23m
- Musculoskeletal System
  23m
48. Ecology3h 11m
49. Animal Behavior28m
- Animal Behavior
  28m
50. Population Ecology3h 41m
51. Community Ecology2h 46m
52. Ecosystems2h 36m
53. Conservation Biology24m
- Conservation Biology
  24m

7. Energy and Metabolism

Enzyme Inhibition

General Biology

7. Energy and Metabolism

Enzyme Inhibition

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1:33 minutes

Problem 12

Textbook Question

Sometimes inhibitors can be harmful to a cell; often they are beneficial. Explain.

Verified step by step guidance

Understand the role of inhibitors in biological systems: Inhibitors are molecules that can bind to enzymes and decrease their activity. This interaction can either be reversible or irreversible depending on the nature of the inhibitor and the enzyme.

Recognize the harmful effects of inhibitors: In some cases, inhibitors can be harmful if they disrupt necessary biochemical pathways. For example, toxins or poisons often act as inhibitors, blocking essential enzymatic activities and leading to cellular damage or death.

Identify the beneficial effects of inhibitors: Inhibitors can also play a protective role in cells. They can regulate metabolic pathways to prevent overproduction of certain substances that might be harmful in excess. For instance, drugs used to lower cholesterol levels work by inhibiting specific enzymes involved in cholesterol synthesis.

Consider therapeutic uses of inhibitors: Many medications are inhibitors designed to target specific enzymes associated with diseases. By inhibiting these enzymes, the drugs help to manage or cure the disease. For example, protease inhibitors are used in the treatment of HIV/AIDS to prevent the virus from replicating.

Explore the role of inhibitors in research: Inhibitors are valuable tools in biological research. They are used to study enzyme mechanisms and functions by observing how the inhibition affects cellular processes. This helps scientists understand how enzymes work and how they can be manipulated for beneficial purposes.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Enzyme Inhibition

Enzyme inhibition refers to the process where a molecule, known as an inhibitor, binds to an enzyme and decreases its activity. This can occur through various mechanisms, 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 site. Understanding this concept is crucial for grasping how inhibitors can regulate metabolic pathways.

Cellular Regulation

Cells utilize inhibitors as a means of regulating biochemical pathways to maintain homeostasis. Inhibitors can prevent overactivity of enzymes, ensuring that metabolic processes occur at appropriate rates. This regulation is essential for cellular function, as it allows cells to respond to changes in their environment and manage energy resources effectively.

Toxicity vs. Therapeutic Effects

While some inhibitors can be toxic and disrupt normal cellular functions, others are used therapeutically to treat diseases. For example, certain drugs act as enzyme inhibitors to slow down the progression of diseases like cancer or bacterial infections. The distinction between harmful and beneficial effects of inhibitors often depends on their concentration, target specificity, and the context of their use within the organism.