Question 29
Animal NutritionPepsin is secreted as an inactive precursor called pepsinogen because
- A.pepsin as an enzyme is quickly destroyed by the alkaline food from the mouth
- B.all digestive enzymes pass through a precursor stage
- C.pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme and might attack the stomach tissues
- D.pepsin is not required in large quantities
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: C (pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme and might attack the stomach tissues)
Explanation
Pepsin digests protein, and the stomach wall is made of protein; releasing it in an inactive form protects the cells that make it.