The equation for competitive inhibition is similar to the Michaelis-Menten equation except for the introduction of the new term α. The term α is greater than 1.0 when a competitive inhibitor is present. Start with the default values and create a plot by clicking on New Plot. See how the plot changes when α is increased by a factor of 2 or a factor of 4. Manipulate the values for the different parameters until you are comfortable with how this equation works, and how a affects the plot.
Up to 5 plots can be displayed at one time. The Clear button will remove all plots. To see Vmax, Km, and α for each plot hit the Legend button. The Redraw button will refresh the graph. This is useful when the function domain (i.e., [S]) has been changed. To see the value of each plot at a given point, move your cursor to the desired location then click and hold.
Original material from Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, 5a edición, de D. Nelson and M. Cox; 2009. ISBN: 0-7167-7108-X.
Dr. José Antonio Encinar. (IBMC-UMH)