Question

Pepsinogen is an:________.
a) inactive precursor to the enzyme pepsin that digests proteins in the stomach.
b) active enzyme that is released in the small intestine and digests carbohydrates.
c) active enzyme that digests proteins within the small intestine.
d) inactive precursor to a nonspecific enzyme that is synthesized in the pancreas and released in the small intestine.

Answer 1

Answer:

The inactive precursor to the enzyme pepsin that digests proteins in the stomach. (Ans A)

Explanation:

Pepsin is known as a digestive enzyme which is present in humans and other species digestive system. It is produced by the stomach, where it helps to digest the proteins and break down into amino acids which are present in food. In the stomach, a cell is known as a peptic or chief cell that helps to release Pepsinogen.

The Pepsinogen secreted by Chief cells is an inactive form of pepsin, on exposure to HCL (hydrochloric acid secretion from Parietal cells), gets converted to the active enzyme pepsin because HCL provides necessary acidic environments where pepsin work best. Then Pepsin hydrolyzed the proteins to polypeptide and starts protein digestion in the stomach.