When an enzyme produced in the stomach of human beings passes into the small intestine it ceases to function, why?
2006-09-26 16:23:08 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Enzymes are pH dependent; they function only within a reange of acidity or alkalinity. Outside of that range, they just sit around. :-) The stomach is highly acidic, which is within the functional range of proteases (the enzymes that cut up protein molecules) . The small intestine is mildly alkaline. The enzymes are just hanging around, but they do not digest the small intestine! (which is lined with protein)
;-)
2006-09-26 16:30:27 · answer #1 · answered by WikiJo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Enzymes are pH sensitive.
An enzyme in the stomach acts in the acidic medium (provided by secretion of HCl).
The medium in small intestine is alkaline(provided by bile).So the enzymes produced in stomach cease to function in small intestine.
2006-09-26 16:35:40 · answer #2 · answered by palsforever20 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The chemistry of the small bowel is different then that of the stomach and elsewhere in the alimentary canal.
2006-09-26 16:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by Matthew 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋