n. pl. locÂ·ules or locÂ·uÂ·li (-lÄ«â²). A small cavity or compartment within an organ or part of an animal or plant, as any of the cavities within a plant ovary. [Latin.
Competitive inhibition is a form of enzyme inhibition where binding of the inhibitor to the active site on the enzyme prevents binding of the substrate and vice versa. Most competitive inhibitors function by binding reversibly to the active site of the enzyme.
The inhibitor is not acted on by the enzyme but does prevent the substrate from approaching the active site. The degree to which a competitive inhibitor interferes with an enzymeâs activity depends on the relative concentrations of the substrate and the inhibitor.