Final answer:
Feedback inhibition is a cellular process that halts enzyme activity to prevent excess production of metabolic pathway products, thus conserving resources and avoiding potential toxicity.
Step-by-step explanation:
One way a cell can stop an enzyme from working when the cell does not need more of the product is through a process called feedback inhibition. This regulatory mechanism involves the end product of a metabolic pathway acting as an inhibitor of an enzyme within that pathway, typically the first committed enzyme. It binds to the enzyme allosterically, which induces a conformational change in the enzyme, rendering it less active or inactive, thus slowing down or halting the production of the product.
This is beneficial because it prevents the accumulation of substances that are not currently needed by the cell, ensuring efficient use of resources and avoiding potential toxicity from excess metabolites. If an enzyme is not functioning, the chemical reaction it catalyzes will proceed much more slowly or stop entirely, showcasing the importance of enzyme regulation in cellular metabolism.