Question

as food travels through the digestive system, it is exposed to a variety of ph levels. the stomach has a ph of 2 due to the presence of hydrochloric acid (hcl), and the small intestine has a ph ranging from 7 to 9. hcl converts pepsinogen into pepsin, an enzyme that digests proteins in the stomach. which of the following most likely happens to pepsin as it enters the small intestine? (3pts) a its activity increases to digest more proteins. b it becomes inactive. c it begins to replicate. d its shape changes to engulf large proteins.

Explanation:

Pepsin is an enzyme that works best in acidic conditions like those in the stomach (pH 2). The small - intestine has a more neutral to slightly alkaline pH (7 - 9). Enzymes are proteins and their activity is highly dependent on pH. Pepsin will become inactive in the higher pH environment of the small intestine.

Answer:

B. it becomes inactive.