Question

Explain why proteases are first selected in an inactive state and describe the means by which proteases are activated in the stomach and small intestine

Answer 1

Proteases are secreted in an inactive state because proteases can be very harmful while still in the cell. Proteases main function is to digest and break down proteins. If a proteases got out into a cell proteases could destroy a whole cell because proteases would break down the proteins in the cell. Proteases are only activated once in the lumen on the digestive tract. Proteases is a general term for multiple digesting proteins, an example is trypsinogen. For trypsinogen to be activated another enzyme called enterokinase must be released from the intestinal mucosa. When trypsinogen is activated trypsinogen becomes trypsin and starts breaking down proteins. This is just an example of a proteases becoming active and there are other forms of proteases that must be broken down in other ways (Bowen, 2006).