Question

Based on some preliminary measurements, you suspect that a sample of enzyme contains an irreversible enzyme inhibitor. You decide to dilute the sample 100-fold and remeasure the enzyme's activity. What would your results show if an irreversible inhibitor is present?

Short answer

The affinity of the inhibitor for the enzyme is unaffected by the dilution factor.

Step-by-step solution

Enzyme inhibitors

Enzyme inhibitors stop enzymes from working.No other substrate can attach to the active site of the enzyme since the irreversible inhibitor binds to it irreversibly.

Results of reversible inhibitors is present

The substance is diluted 100 times to see if the sample contains an irreversible enzyme inhibitor. Even if the irreversible inhibitor is present, the enzyme solution activity is 100 times lower when diluting the sample. The enzyme inhibitor's affinity for the enzyme is more significant than the dilution factor. Thus, dilution won't affect if the enzyme inhibitor is irreversible.

Hence, the dilution factor does not affect the inhibitor's affinity for the enzyme.