Pepsin and trypsin activity were assayed across pH values. Pepsin operates in the stomach; trypsin operates in the small intestine.
Based on the graph, which best explains the difference in pH optima of pepsin vs trypsin?
- A
Pepsin has a smaller active site
- B
Pepsin has more disulfide bridges than trypsin
- Ccheck_circle
Each enzyme's tertiary structure is most stable and active in its native cellular environment
- D
Trypsin uses noncompetitive inhibition while pepsin does not
Explanation
Pepsin functions in the acidic stomach (pH ~2), while trypsin operates in the slightly alkaline small intestine (pH ~8). Each protein's shape is optimized for its physiological pH.