Download Enzyme Activity Pepsin and Trypsin Worksheet

Name: ________________________________
Enzyme Activity: Pepsin and Trypsin
In the Diagram to the left, you will see
a basic drawing of the human
digestive system. One of the many
functions enzymes perform in the
body is digestion. Pepsin and Trypsin
are both types of digestive enzymes.
However each works in a different
organ of the digestive system. Pepsin
is secreted by the stomach and
Trypsin is secreted by the small
intestines. Below is a graph of the
rates of reaction of both Pepsin and
Trypsin in different pH conditions for
the reactions they carry out. Use the
picture to the left and the graph
below to complete the questions on
the back.
1. In what range of pH does pepsin function? _________ What is the Optimum pH for
pepsin? ______
2. In what range of pH does trypsin function? _________ What is the optimum pH for
trypsin? ______
3. What is the normal pH for the stomach? ______ What is the normal pH for the small
intestines? ______
4. Using your answers from questions 1 - 3, explain what must happen to the solution the
food is in as it moves from the stomach to the small intestine and why that has to happen
in order for digestion to occur correctly. (Use COMPLETE Sentences)
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5. Could Trypsin work in the stomach? _____ Why do you think that? _______________
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6. Could Pepsin work in the small intestines? _____ Why do you think that? ___________
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7. Homeostasis is one of the 7 characteristics of life and it states that all living organisms
must maintain a constant internal environment. Knowing this and what you have just
learned from this worksheet explain how it can be said that humans maintain homeostasis
even though pH is not constant throughout the body.
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