How Does Alcohol Affect Pepsin

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The data that was gained from the experiment conducted supports the hypothesis that as the alcohol concentration increases pepsin will break down protein slower. The results alone, however, can not soundly conclude that ethanol affects the process of protein being broken down by pepsin. This is because the results were collected in a school environment, with limited resources and limited time. In order to further increase the reliability of the test it would need to be done with higher quality equipment and a more mathematical method that includes the proportions of how much alcohol would be consumed in relation to protein consumed and pepsin in the stomach. Another variation that would confirm the experiments reliability would be conducting in an in vivo experiment, this would provide a more realistic environment than that of an in vitro experiment. The testing method could also be improved by using a protein indicator that is more specific. The test done supported the hypothesis but it without more experimentation and research it can not be proven.
The data showed that alcohol negatively affects pepsin as when the alcohol concentration rose, the pepsin took longer to catalyse the protein. The results for 100% ethanol showed that the pepsin was not disturbed but after testing a strip in only pure ethanol it was discovered that the ethanol bleached the strip as it came up white not the light green it should be for negative. This test suggested that the reading for 100% ethanol was disturbed and therefore could not have been used as reliable …show more content…

Because not very many tests have been conducted on what effect alcohol has on pepsin it is hard to definitively say that alcohol should not be consumed with high protein meal. Although with more tests and tests in live animals the results, if similar to those found in the experiment, could create new diets that keep alcohol and protein

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