Proteins are first digested by the enzyme pepsin in the stomach where the pH is 2. Then in the small intestines where the pH is 8, the digestion of the protein is continued by trypsin and chymotrypsin. Which of the following best explains the change in function of trypsin in the stomach?
Trypsin will not change and will continue to breakdown proteins in the stomach. Trypsin will not change shape; it will adapt to the acidic environment and continue to digest the proteins. The acidic environment of the stomach would change the shape of trypsin and decrease its enzymatic activity. Pepsin will change the shape of trypsin by acting as a competitive inhibitor.