Section: Biological and Biochemical Foundations of Living Systems

9) Diisopropylfluorophosphate (DFP) binds to the active site of acetylcholinesterase (ACE) in the synapses of neurons. When DFP binds to ACE, the ACE enzyme is rendered permanently inactive. This makes DFP a potent toxin, with lethal amounts at less than 100 mg. The interaction between DFP and ACE can best be characterized as:

Competitive inhibition
Noncompetitive inhibition
Irreversible inhibition
Partially competitive inhibition