Question

I am looking for examples from PhysioEx exercise 8 Chemical and Physical processses of digestion lab. I need to describe how the proper conditions in the body are important for enzyme function (pH, etc). i need specific examples from the lab. If anyone is familiar with this lab and has done it please help?

Here is what I have come up with so far....

Amylase is the most active around pH of 7. The significance of a pH of 7 is that it is the same pH condition in the mouth, aiding in the digestive processing relation to salivary amylase.

During the incubation process of the test tubes. The temperature is set to 37°C . This is the optimal temperature of the human body with a pH of 7.2. At this level enzymes function in the body properly. If your running a fever and your temperature rises above this number enzymes no longer function properly.

Answer 1

The activities of enzymes also depend on the temperature, ionic conditions, and the pH of the surroundings. Some enzymes work best at acidic pHs, while others work best in neutral environments.

Digestive enzymes secreted in the acidic environment (low pH) of the stomach help break down proteins into smaller molecules. The main digestive enzyme in the stomach is pepsin, which works best at a pH of about 1.5. These enzymes would not work optimally at other pHs. Trypsin is another enzyme in the digestive system, which breaks protein chains in food into smaller parts. Trypsin works in the small intestine, which is not an acidic environment. Trypsin's optimum pH is about 8.

Biochemical reactions are optimal at physiological temperatures. For example, most biochemical reactionswork best at the normal body temperature of 98.6˚F. Many enzymes lose function at lower and higher temperatures. At higher temperatures, an enzyme’s shape deteriorates. Only when the temperature comes back to normal does the enzyme regain its shape and normal activity.