competitive inhibition

A form of enzyme inhibition in which the inhibitor competes with the substrate for the enzyme active site. The inhibitor can bind to the active site but does not react to form products. An example is the inhibition of the enzyme succinate dehydrogenase by certain compounds resembling succinate, e.g. malonate and oxalate. Studies of competitive inhibitors have provided valuable information about the way in which substrates are bound to the active site.