Competitive Inhibition: In this type of inhibition, the inhibitor molecule has a similar shape to the substrate and competes with it for binding to the active site of the enzyme. The effect of a competitive inhibitor can be overcome by increasing the substrate concentration.
Non-Competitive Inhibition: A non-competitive inhibitor binds to the enzyme at a location other than the active site (an allosteric site). This binding changes the shape of the enzyme, including the active site, so that it can no longer bind to the substrate effectively. Increasing the substrate concentration does not reverse this type of inhibition.
Uncompetitive Inhibition: This type of inhibitor binds only to the enzyme-substrate complex, after the substrate has already bound to the active site. This prevents the enzyme from releasing the products of the reaction.
Irreversible Inhibition: An irreversible inhibitor binds very tightly, often covalently, to the enzyme. This permanently inactivates the enzyme, and the inhibition cannot be easily reversed.