Question

Arrange the following enzymes in ascending order of their optimum pH

(a) Salivary amylase

(b) Pepsin

(c) Pancreatic amylase

Answer 1

Answer:

first pepsin second pancreatic amylase and last is salivary amylase

Answer 2

Enzymes in ascending order of their optimum pH are (b)pepsin < (a) salivary amylase < (c ) Pancreatic amylase.

• All three enzymes are part of the digestive system and are involved in the digestion of food material.
• The PH of pepsin is 1-2, the PH of salivary amylase is 4.6 - 5.1 and the PH of pancreatic amylase is 6-7.
• Pepsin functions in the stomach and at acidic PH. it breaks the protein chain into smaller peptides which facilitate easy digestion.
• Salivary amylase is secreted in the buccal cavity and causes the breakdown of large molecules of carbohydrates and starch present in food such as potatoes and rice into smaller forms.
• The pancreatic enzyme acts on the pancreas and is released for the complete digestion of food in the small intestine. it converts carbohydrates into simpler sugars.