People with high cholesterol levels often take drugs in an attempt to lower their cholesterol levels. One such drug is Lipitor. How does this drug work?
A) It enhances the activity of enzymes that help break down cholesterol in the body.
B) It prevents cholesterol from the diet from being absorbed in the small intestine.
C) It acts as a competitive inhibitor by binding to the active site of enzymes that normally produce cholesterol.
D) It increases the activation energy of enzymes needed to produce cholesterol.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Lipitor (atorvastatin) works by acting as a competitive inhibitor for the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, which is a key enzyme in the biosynthesis of cholesterol in the liver. By binding to the active site of this enzyme, Lipitor effectively reduces the production of cholesterol.

People with High Cholesterol Levels Often Take Drugs in an Attempt