Questions on Gastrointestinal Tract Related

Review Questions on Gastrointestinal Tract related questions and content

Which of the following hydrolytic enzymes act in low pH?

  • A. Peroxidases
  • B. Hydrolases
  • C. Amylases
  • D. Proteases
Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Proteases. Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins, and they are known to function optimally in low pH environments, such as the acidic environment of the stomach. This is because the acidic pH helps in the activation and stability of proteases, allowing them to efficiently break down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.

Rationale for why the other choices are incorrect:
A: Peroxidases catalyze oxidation reactions and are not specifically known to act in low pH environments.
B: Hydrolases are a broad category of enzymes that catalyze the hydrolysis of various molecules but are not specifically tailored for low pH conditions.
C: Amylases are enzymes that break down carbohydrates and typically work best in neutral to slightly alkaline pH conditions, not in low pH environments like proteases.