Final answer:
Catechol oxidase is typically inhibited by a competitive inhibitor, which competes with the natural substrate for the active site of the enzyme.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question asks whether catechol oxidase is inhibited by a competitive or non-competitive inhibitor. Competitive inhibition occurs when an inhibitor and the substrate vie for occupancy of the enzyme's active site. A competitive inhibitor mimics the substrate's structure, thus competing for the active site. On the other hand, non-competitive inhibition involves an inhibitor binding to an allosteric site on the enzyme, distinct from the active site, which then induces a conformational change affecting the enzyme's activity. In the case of catechol oxidase, inhibitors that usually inhibit the enzyme are competitive, as they imitate the structure of the enzyme's natural substrates and directly block the active site.