Question:

Which of the following is true about a non-competitive antagonist (inhibitor)?

Show Hint

The inhibitor binds away from the active site, so substrate affinity does not change but maximal velocity falls.
Updated On: Jun 23, 2026
  • Km remains same, Vmax decreases
  • Km increases, Vmax remains same
  • Km decreases, Vmax increases
  • Km increases, Vmax increases
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is A

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: A non-competitive inhibitor binds at a site different from the active site and can attach to either the free enzyme or the enzyme-substrate complex.
Step 2: Because it does not compete with substrate for the active site, raising substrate concentration cannot reverse the effect. This lowers the apparent Vmax.
Step 3: Since substrate binding itself is unaffected, the Km stays unchanged.
Step 4: On a Lineweaver-Burk plot, lines for inhibitor and no inhibitor cross on the x-axis (same Km, 1/Vmax intercept higher). So the correct statement is: Km remains same, Vmax decreases.
Ref: Lippincott's Illustrated Reviews, Biochemistry, 5th edn, pg 61.
Was this answer helpful?
0
0