(acid in the stomach, alkaline in the small intestine)
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In stomach, the protein digesting enzyme, pepsin, can work only in acidic medium. Actually it is produced by the peptic cells of the stomach in its inactive form called pepsinogen. But under the influence of HCl, it turns into active form pepsin.
Similarly for the small intestine. The enzymes from the pancreas can work only in alkaline medium and therefore bile salts from the liver makes the medium alkaline for the digestion process to take place in small intestine.
An important difference between pepsin and trypsin is that both are involved in the digestion of proteins, but pepsin works in acidic pH while trypsin works in basic pH.
Similarly for the small intestine. The enzymes from the pancreas can work only in alkaline medium and therefore bile salts from the liver makes the medium alkaline for the digestion process to take place in small intestine.
An important difference between pepsin and trypsin is that both are involved in the digestion of proteins, but pepsin works in acidic pH while trypsin works in basic pH.
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the answer to your question is simple and easily comprehensible.
Since there are lots of different enzymes being secreted in the stomach
(enzymes are made of protein and can be denatured by alternation of pH), each of these enzymes require to have their specific optimal pH.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Suggest_why_the_Ph_of_the_gut_secretions_varies_at_different_regions_in_the_gut#ixzz1t2iGVkbT
Since there are lots of different enzymes being secreted in the stomach
(enzymes are made of protein and can be denatured by alternation of pH), each of these enzymes require to have their specific optimal pH.
Read more: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Suggest_why_the_Ph_of_the_gut_secretions_varies_at_different_regions_in_the_gut#ixzz1t2iGVkbT