HIV is the virus that causes AIDS.In the mid-1990s,researchers discovered an enzyme in HIV called protease.Once the enzyme's structure was known,researchers began looking for drugs that would fit into the active site and block it.If this strategy for stopping HIV infections were successful,it would be an example of what phenomenon?
A)vaccination
B)poisoning
C)allosteric regulation
D)competitive inhibition

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The strategy described in the passage involves blocking the active site of the HIV enzyme protease, which is an example of competitive inhibition. The drugs being developed would compete with the enzyme's natural substrate for access to the active site, preventing it from functioning properly and thus inhibiting the virus's ability to replicate. Vaccination involves triggering an immune response to a virus or other pathogen, while allosteric regulation involves the binding of a molecule to a site on an enzyme other than the active site to either activate or inhibit its function. Poisoning is not relevant to the context of the passage.

HIV Is the Virus That Causes AIDS