Final answer:
Competitive inhibition is a type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor molecule competes with the substrate for binding to the enzyme's active site. The inhibitor and substrate are structurally similar, and the inhibitor blocks the substrate from binding and the catalysis from occurring. However, the inhibitor can disassociate from the enzyme, allowing the substrate to bind and the reaction to proceed.
Step-by-step explanation:
Competitive inhibition is a type of enzyme inhibition where an inhibitor molecule binds to the enzyme's active site, competing with the substrate for binding. The inhibitor and substrate are structurally similar, allowing the inhibitor to interact with the enzyme but not undergo the chemical reaction. This blocks the substrate from binding and the catalysis from occurring. However, the inhibitor can disassociate from the enzyme, allowing the substrate to bind and the reaction to proceed.