Inhibit
Inhibit
Inhibit (pronounced /ɪnˈhɪbɪt/) is a term commonly used in the medical field. It originates from the Latin word 'inhibitus', which means to restrain or hold back.
Definition
Inhibit refers to the act of slowing down, reducing, or stopping the effect or action of a biological process, chemical reaction, or an organism. In the medical context, it is often used to describe the action of drugs or substances that reduce or stop the activity of certain enzymes, cells, or bodily functions.
Usage in Medicine
In medicine, the term 'inhibit' is often used in pharmacology, physiology, and biochemistry. For example, in pharmacology, drugs are often designed to inhibit the action of certain enzymes or proteins that contribute to disease. This is seen in the use of ACE inhibitors to treat hypertension, or Protease inhibitors used in the treatment of HIV.
In physiology, the term can refer to the reduction or suppression of bodily functions. For example, the parasympathetic nervous system is said to inhibit heart rate, while certain hormones can inhibit the release of other hormones.
In biochemistry, 'inhibit' refers to the reduction or stoppage of a chemical reaction, often by interfering with the action of an enzyme or other catalyst. For example, competitive inhibitors bind to the active site of an enzyme, preventing the substrate from binding and thus inhibiting the reaction.
Related Terms
- Inhibition: The process of inhibiting or the state of being inhibited.
- Inhibitor: A substance that slows down or stops a chemical reaction.
- Enzyme inhibitor: A type of drug that interferes with the action of an enzyme.
- Reversible inhibitor: An inhibitor that can bind and unbind from its target enzyme.
- Irreversible inhibitor: An inhibitor that permanently binds to its target enzyme.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Inhibit
- Wikipedia's article - Inhibit
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