Pepsinogen is a zymogen, or inactive precursor, of the digestive enzyme pepsin. Pepsinogen is secreted by the chief cells of the stomach in response to the presence of food. In the acidic environment of the stomach, pepsinogen is converted into its active form, pepsin, which is responsible for breaking down proteins in food.

Sodium hydroxide is a strong base that can increase the pH of a solution. If sodium hydroxide is added to a solution of pepsinogen, it will raise the pH and cause the pepsinogen to be converted into pepsin. However, the pepsin will not be active in the high pH environment and will therefore not be able to break down proteins.

In summary, sodium hydroxide has the effect of converting pepsinogen into pepsin, but the pepsin will not be active in the high pH environment created by the sodium hydroxide.