Question

Optimum pH for enzyme Trypsin is
A. 5.9
B. 4.6
C. 8
D. 7

Answer 1

Hint: Trypsin is an enzyme of pancreatic juice secreted by the pancreas. Trypsin works at a basic pH.

Complete Answer:
- The Activity of enzymes depends on pH. Every enzyme is pH specific. The change in pH will lead to denaturation or inactivity of enzymes.
- It might not be able to bind to the substrate. The pH where the enzyme shows its maximum activity is the optimum pH of the enzyme. There is a scale of pH which ranges from 0 to 14 wherein 0 to 6.9 is acidic pH, 7 in neutral pH, and 7.1 to 14 is basic pH.
- Trypsin is the most powerful proteolytic enzyme of pancreatic juice. It is secreted by the acini of the pancreas.
- Trypsin works at a basic pH of around 7.4 to 8.4. trypsin breaks down the proteins into small polypeptides and few free amino acids (trypsin can hydrolyze some dipeptides). Trypsin is released in inactive form trypsinogen.
- It is then converted into active trypsin by enterokinase. Trypsin is released into the duodenum via the Duct of Wirsung.
- It acts on proteins along with bile juice in an alkaline environment. It helps in the digestion of proteins along with other proteolytic intestinal enzymes.

Note: Pancreas is both exocrine as well as an endocrine gland. Trypsin is secreted by the exocrine part of the pancreas.