Why is Pepsin able to function in an acidic environment?

Pepsin is able to function in an acidic environment due to its structure and the specific conditions of the stomach. It is produced as an inactive precursor, pepsinogen, which is activated by the low pH of gastric acid (hydrochloric acid) in the stomach. The acidic environment not only activates pepsin but also helps maintain its enzymatic activity, as the enzyme is adapted to work optimally at a pH of around 1.5 to 2, enabling it to effectively break down proteins into peptides.