Which one of the following pairs of enzymes do not work at acidic pH ?
Trypsin and Pepsin
Chymotrypsin and Pepsin
Trypsin and Amylase
Pepsin and Amylase
Answer is Wrong!
Answer is Right!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2022
– Trypsin and Chymotrypsin are proteases found in the small intestine, where the environment is alkaline (pH around 8) due to the secretion of bicarbonate from the pancreas. They do not work at acidic pH.
– Amylase (like salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase) works best at neutral to slightly alkaline pH (around 6.7-7.0 for salivary, around 8 for pancreatic). It is largely inactive at acidic stomach pH.
The question asks for the pair of enzymes that *do not* work at acidic pH. Trypsin and Amylase both have optimal pH values in the neutral or alkaline range and are inactive in acidic conditions. Pepsin, however, works at acidic pH.