What is the pepsin and pepsinogen

Answer 1

Pepsin and pepsinogen are both enzymes involved in the digestion of proteins in the stomach.

Pepsinogen is the inactive precursor form of pepsin. It is secreted by the chief cells in the stomach lining as an inactive substance to protect the stomach lining from self-digestion. When pepsinogen comes into contact with the acidic environment in the stomach, it is activated and converted into pepsin.

Pepsin, on the other hand, is the active form of the enzyme. It is responsible for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides during the process of digestion. Pepsin works optimally at the acidic pH of the stomach and is most effective in breaking down proteins into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the small intestine.