Final answer:
A ligand can bind to the active site of an enzyme. However, an allosteric inhibitor can bind to an enzyme away from the active site, causing a conformational change in the active site that decreases its affinity for the substrate.
Step-by-step explanation:
A ligand can bind to the active site of an enzyme. The active site is a specific region on the enzyme where the substrate binds, leading to the catalysis of a biochemical reaction. However, an allosteric inhibitor can also bind to an enzyme but away from the active site, causing a conformational change in the active site. This change decreases the affinity of the active site for the substrate, inhibiting the enzyme's activity.