5.

An enzyme produced by the pancreas in a

human body is most effective when it

functions in an environment that has a basic

pH. Why would the enzyme not function well

in an environment with a pH of 4?

Proteins are very sensitive to temperature and pH changes. A pH of 4 is acidic so since the protein is most effective in basic pH (pH above 7) the protein will likely denature or become nonfunctional due to the pH condition being acidic.

The enzyme mentioned in question will only be effective and functional in basic pH whereas, nonfunctional in acidic pH because the acidic pH will affect the structure of protein and if the structure is modified the function is modified as well.