Question

What is the pH optimum for pepsin
A.$2$
B.$4$
C.$6$
D.$8$

Answer 1

We know that the All these enzymes are affected by pH. At the pH where enzymes are most active, is known as optimum pH. Higher or lower pH than optimum pH leads to loss of function of an enzyme.

Complete answer:
As we know, the easiest way to remember pepsin’s optimum pH is that it’s present in the stomach. We know that the stomach contains hydrochloric acid which is capable of dissolving metals. Pepsin works in such a condition. Pepsin breaks down bigger protein molecules into smaller protein molecules and it requires an optimum pH. Pepsin is an endopeptidase enzyme that breaks down proteins into peptides. It is one of the most important digestive enzymes in the digestive systems of humans and many other animals, where it aids in the digestion of proteins in food. It’s one of three major proteases found in the human digestive tract, along with chymotrypsin and trypsin.
The produced in the gastric chief cells of the stomach lining and is one of the most important digestive enzymes in the digestive systems of humans and many other animals. Pepsin is an aspartic protease with an active site that contains a catalytic aspartate. Pepsin is an endopeptidase hormone that breaks down the proteins into smaller peptides. They are produced in the chief cells of the stomach lining. Pepsin is most active with an optimum pH of $1.2$ to $2.5$ and its primary site of synthesis and activity is in the stomach.
Therefore, the correct answer is option A.

Note:
Remember that the stomach is a bag-like organ that has an acidic environment. The enzyme pepsin present in the stomach helps in the digestion of proteins and requires an acidic pH for functioning. It is secreted in the stomach as inactive zymogen called pepsinogen which is converted to pepsin by the acidic pH of the stomach which is the active form.