How is the enzyme pepsin activated during protein digestion??
Pepsin is a digestive enzyme, which breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. It is produced in the stomach. It helps in digestion of the proteins in food. Pepsin's proenzyme known as pepsinogen is inactive form of pepsin and released by the chief cells in the stomach wall. Pepsinogen activates and become pepsin after the mixing with the hydrochloric acid of the gastric juice. This enzyme is activated by hydrogen ions, H+ of HCl. Proteins are long chains of amino acids. Pepsin hydrolyzes proteins into fragments of various sizes known as peptides.
Get Answers For Free
Most questions answered within 1 hours.