The nerve gas sarin acts as a poison by covalently bonding to a hydroxyl group in the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This binding results in a higher-than-normal amount of acetylcholine at a nerve synapse, resulting in muscle spasms. From this description, would you expect sarin to be a competitive, noncompetitive, or irreversible inhibitor? Select the single best answer.competitive inhibitorirreversible inhibitornoncompetitive inhibitor
Question
The nerve gas sarin acts as a poison by covalently bonding to a hydroxyl group in the active site of the enzyme acetylcholinesterase. This binding results in a higher-than-normal amount of acetylcholine at a nerve synapse, resulting in muscle spasms. From this description, would you expect sarin to be a competitive, noncompetitive, or irreversible inhibitor? Select the single best answer.competitive inhibitorirreversible inhibitornoncompetitive inhibitor
Solution
The nerve gas sarin is an irreversible inhibitor. This is because it forms a covalent bond with the enzyme acetylcholinesterase, which permanently inactivates the enzyme. This is different from competitive and noncompetitive inhibitors, which form reversible interactions with enzymes.
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