An inhibitor can decrease the activity of an enzyme by binding to the enzyme's active site or to an allosteric site.
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Active site: This is the specific region of the enzyme where substrate molecules bind and undergo a chemical reaction. If an inhibitor binds to the active site, it can prevent substrate molecules from accessing it, thereby reducing enzyme activity.
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Allosteric site: This is a different site on the enzyme, away from the active site. Binding at this site can induce a conformational change in the enzyme, potentially altering the shape or function of the active site and affecting the enzyme's activity.
Binding to either type of site can inhibit enzyme function, depending on the mechanism of the inhibitor.