Much of the digestive system relies on the activity of enzymes. The stomach secretions include an enzyme (pepsin)along with HCl to reduce the pH in the stomach to a pH of 2. When the food moves into the small intestine, there are multiple secretions to raise the pH to 7. How would this pH change affect the activity of the stomach enzyme, pepsin?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Pepsin is adapted to work in the acidic environment of the stomach (pH 2). When the pH increases to 7 in the small intestine, pepsin becomes denatured and loses its activity.

Much of the Digestive System Relies on the Activity of Enzymes