What occurs during competitive inhibition?

During competitive inhibition, molecules that are similar in structure to the substrate compete with the substrate for binding to the enzyme's active site. This means that when an inhibitor is present, it physically blocks the substrate from accessing the active site, effectively reducing the rate of reaction because the enzyme cannot bind its intended substrate as easily. The inhibitor does not permanently bind to the enzyme, allowing for the possibility that the substrate can outcompete the inhibitor if its concentration is sufficiently high. This mechanism is crucial in various biological processes and can be a target for drug design, where a competitive inhibitor might be used to reduce enzyme activity in specific pathways.