Which enzyme digests proteins in the stomach?

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Multiple Choice

Which enzyme digests proteins in the stomach?

Explanation:
The main concept: protein digestion begins in the stomach with a proteolytic enzyme that is activated by the acidic environment. Pepsin is the stomach’s protease; it is secreted as pepsinogen by gastric chief cells and becomes active pepsin in the presence of stomach acid (HCl). In this acidic setting, pepsin cleaves peptide bonds in proteins, producing smaller peptides and setting up further digestion in the small intestine. The other enzymes listed do not fit the stomach context: amylase targets carbohydrates, lipase targets fats, and trypsin is a pancreatic protease active later in the small intestine.

The main concept: protein digestion begins in the stomach with a proteolytic enzyme that is activated by the acidic environment. Pepsin is the stomach’s protease; it is secreted as pepsinogen by gastric chief cells and becomes active pepsin in the presence of stomach acid (HCl). In this acidic setting, pepsin cleaves peptide bonds in proteins, producing smaller peptides and setting up further digestion in the small intestine. The other enzymes listed do not fit the stomach context: amylase targets carbohydrates, lipase targets fats, and trypsin is a pancreatic protease active later in the small intestine.

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