Question

What converts pepsinogen to pepsin?

Answer 1

Pepsinogen

Pepsinogen is defined as the inactive enzyme that is secreted by the stomach wall and converted into the enzyme pepsin by gastric acid.

The factors that convert Pepsinogen to Pepsin are:

1. Pepsinogen is converted to pepsin which digests protein.
2. Their production is stimulated by the presence of gastrin in the blood.
3. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) converts pepsinogen to pepsin which breaks down proteins into peptides.
4. Hydrochloric acid (HCl) maintains a pH in the stomach of 2.0
5. It also dissolves food and kills microorganisms.
6. Mucos protect the stomach from HCL and pepsin.