Salivary amylase is released in the mouth where it breaks down sugars. However, it is inactive once it reaches the stomach where
pH is quite low. Knowing the effect of pH on enzyme function, select all that describe why this happens.A.Hydrogen ions in the stomach acid bind the enzyme.B.Hydrogen ions are released from, the enzyme.C.Change in hydrogen ions disrupts the electrostatic interactions within the enzyme molecule.D.The enzyme may denature.
Answer: C.Change in hydrogen ions disrupts the electrostatic interactions within the enzyme molecule.
D.The enzyme may denature.
Explanation:
The salivary amylase is the enzyme which break starch into simple sugars. The enzyme salivary amylase is secreted in the saliva of humans and animals. This enzyme works at an optimum pH of 5.2-7.0 but when the enzyme is taken along with food into the stomach the enzyme becomes non-functional. The pH of stomach is acidic that is 1.5-1.6, the hydrogen ions in the stomach neutralize the negative charge on the R group of the enzyme this disrupts the ionic interaction property of the enzyme salivary amylase. The acidic pH will denature the enzyme which may cause the change in the active site of the enzyme and the enzyme will become non-functional.
