Trypsin, working in the small intestine, has an optimum pH of about

  • A. 8
  • B. 2
  • C. 5
  • D. 11

Explanation

The alkaline environment of the duodenum, fed by bicarbonate from the pancreas, suits trypsin at pH 8. Pepsin in the acidic stomach works best near pH 2, so each digestive enzyme matches the pH of the compartment where it acts.

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