Re: Does a high pH or a low pH increase the rate at which enzymes function?

Hi Melissa,

I am afraid that there is no single yes/no or high/low answer to this question. Some enzymes, like pepsin, are functional at very low pH conditions (i.e., pH = 2), while other enzymes, like catalase, are functional at high pH conditions (e.g., up to pH= 10). The optimal pH range of a given enzyme is largely dependent on the tertiary (3D) structure of that enzyme and the chemical nature of the amino acid side-chains in that protein.

In general though, a dramatic change in pH from low to high, or from high to low, will result in a dramtic change in enzyme function. You can find more information about enzymes and pH by searching our archives.