Proteasespeptidases are found in a variety of locations in t

Proteases/peptidases are found in a variety of locations in the body. Proteases are hydrolases enzymes that catalyse the breaking of peptide bonds. Blood has a pH of 7.4, cytoplasm a pH of 7.2, the inside of a lysosome a pH of 5.0, the stomach has a pH of 2.3. I have just discovered a new protease.If I want to check using experiments at the lab bench whether my protein can work in the stomach? Which acid will be the basis of my buffer?

   A.  

H3PO4

   B.  

HCl

   C.  

CH3COOH

   D.  

NH4+

   E.  

H2PO4-

   F.  

HPO42-

Solution

stomach has a pH of 2.3. The protein has to work in acidic environment, hence acidic buffer is required. Acidic buffer are made up of weak acid. Amongst given ions acetic acid is the weak acid that can be used. Hence, the correct answer is option C