Which enzyme digests proteins in the stomach?

Which enzyme digests proteins in the stomach?

• A. Amylase
• B. Trypsin
• C. Lipase
• D. Pepsin

Answer: (D)

Protein digestion in the stomach is carried out by a protease that works best in an acidic environment. Pepsin is secreted as pepsinogen by the stomach’s chief cells and is activated by the strong hydrochloric acid produced by parietal cells. The acidic conditions denature proteins and expose peptide bonds, making them accessible to pepsin, which cleaves them into smaller peptide fragments. The other enzymes listed target different macromolecules or operate in different locations: amylase digests starch (carbohydrates), lipase digests fats, and trypsin is a pancreatic protease that acts in the small intestine rather than the stomach.

Protein digestion in the stomach is carried out by a protease that works best in an acidic environment. Pepsin is secreted as pepsinogen by the stomach’s chief cells and is activated by the strong hydrochloric acid produced by parietal cells. The acidic conditions denature proteins and expose peptide bonds, making them accessible to pepsin, which cleaves them into smaller peptide fragments. The other enzymes listed target different macromolecules or operate in different locations: amylase digests starch (carbohydrates), lipase digests fats, and trypsin is a pancreatic protease that acts in the small intestine rather than the stomach.