Question

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.

Answer 1

Amylase needs an optimum pH for its activity. It is in the range of 6-7. Below or above pH will denature this enzyme. The pH level is optimum for this enzyme in the mouth and hence it catalyses the break down of sugar. The pH level of stomach is lower than its optimum level duet to the activity of gastric acid. Hence the enzyme becomes inactive in the stomach.