The Optimum pH for pepsin?

bob-e

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Posts: 32

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14 years ago

I recently did a lab with egg whites and the enzyme pepsin.
Out of the 5 test tubes, only the one with 5ml of hydrochloric acid and 5ml of pepsin dissolved the egg white. However, before the egg white was put in the test tube, the pH of the solution was 4. But everywhere I look, they say that the "optimum" pH for pepsin to function is around 2.0
So did something go wrong with my experiment?
Also, when checking the pH again after the egg white dissolved, the pH changed to 3.
Is this normal?

Thanks!

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bio_man

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Educator

14 years ago

Nothing went wrong with the experiment. The protein in the egg still digests regardless of weather it is at 2, 3, or 4. Optimum means that it digests "best", so perhaps the fastest at 2.

The change in pH to 3 is absolutely normal. Depending on how the pH is being tested, it can fluctuate. Don't be so worrisome; with biology there is no exact answers to such things. But if you do a write-up mention these observations - they are pretty neat.

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bob-e Author

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14 years ago

THANK YOU BIO_MAN!

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bio_man

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Educator

14 years ago

You're welcome bob-e.

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