Question

Cells of the pancreas are not digested by their own enzymes because

• A. Enzymes are secreted in inactive form
• B. Cells are not lined by mucous membrane
• C. Enzymes are released only when needed
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A Enzymes are secreted in inactive form

The pancreatic enzymes are actually proto-enzymes; they require another chemical in the duodenum to transform into an actual enzyme. For example, trypsinogen, produced in the pancreas, activates in the presence of enterokinase, produced in the duodenum. When activated, trypsinogen becomes the enzyme trypsin. This method of activating an enzyme only in the duodenum protects the pancreas from destruction by its own enzyme production.