
At this specific pH level, a particular enzyme catalyzes the reaction at the fastest rate than at any other pH level. For example, the enzyme pepsin
Pepsin
Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides (that is, a protease). It is produced in the stomach and is one of the main digestive enzymes in the digestive systems of humans and many other animals, where it helps digest the proteins in food.
Full Answer
Why do enzymes work better at their optimum pH?
well enzyme activity is is affected by factors like temp (C), salt concentration and pH. so the lower the pH the higher the H+ ions hence the higher the rate of reaction due the high probability of collisions of reactants. also the higher the pH the higher the rate due to the presence of OH- ions.
What is the optimum pH for enzymes?
So, there can be no definite pH range that is optimum pH for most of the enzymes. However, the enzymes functioning in a common area tend to have identical Optimum pH, i.e., intestinal enzymes have an optimum pH of about 7.5 and enzymes functioning in the stomach have an optimum pH of about 2.
What does the optimum pH of an enzyme mean?
What does optimum temperature and optimum pH of an enzyme mean? As the temperature increases so does the rate of enzyme activity. An optimum activity is reached at the enzyme's optimum temperature. A continued increase in temperature results in a sharp decrease in activity as the enzyme's active site changes shape.
What is the true relationship between pH and enzyme action?
Which is a true statement about the relationship between pH and enzyme action? All enzymes work best at a neutral pH. Adding more acid does not affect the rate of activity of an enzyme. Enzymes function only in a pH range of 4.0 to 5.5. The activity of an enzyme is affected by pH.

Why pH Affects Enzyme Activity?
The rate of a chemical reaction and/or the enzyme activity is greatly influenced by the structure of the enzyme. Or in other words, a change in the structure of the enzyme affects the rate of reaction. When pH of a particular medium changes, it leads to an alteration in the shape of the enzyme. Not only enzymes, the pH level may also affect the charge and shape of the substrate.
Which enzyme is most active at an acidic pH?
For example, the enzyme pepsin (a protease enzyme) is most active at an acidic pH, whereas the enzyme trypsin (another protease enzyme) performs best at a slightly alkaline pH. Thus, the optimum pH of an enzyme is different from that of another enzyme.
How do ions affect enzymes?
These ions alter the structure of the enzymes and at times the substrate, either due to formation of additional bonds or breakage of already existing bonds. Ultimately, the chemical makeup of the enzyme and substrate are changed. Also, the active site of the enzyme is changed, after which the substrate can no longer identify the enzyme. For more information on enzymes, you can refer to enzyme substrate complex.
What is enzyme in biochemistry?
Enzymes are proteinaceous catalysts, which speed up the rate of a biochemical reaction. They reduce the activation energy that is essential for starting any type of chemical reaction. With a low energy requirement for activation, the reaction takes place faster.
What are the factors that affect enzyme performance?
The overall performance of an enzyme depends on various factors, such as temperature, pH, cofactors, activators, and inhibitors. You might have a fair idea regarding the effect of pH on enzymes.
Can a pH change be reversed?
Within a narrow pH range, changes in the structural shapes of the enzymes and substrates may be reversible. But for a significant change in pH levels, the enzyme and the substrate may undergo denaturation. In such cases, they cannot identify each other. Consequently, there will be no reaction. This is why pH is a determining factor of enzyme activity.
