Question

Initial digestion of milk in mammals is carried out by

• A. Pepsin
• B. Chymosin
• C. Carboxypeptidase
• D. Chymotrypsin

Answer 1

The correct option is B Chymosin

Chymosin, which is also known as rennin, is a protein digesting enzyme (proteolytic enzyme). It helps in the digestion of milk proteins by converting the milk-soluble protein, caseinogen into the milk-insoluble protein, casein. It is only found in the gastric juice of infants and it is absent in adults.

Pepsin is an enzyme that helps in protein digestion in the stomach. It breaks down proteins into proteoses and peptones. Pepsin takes over the function of rennin as age progresses.

Carboxypeptidase is a protease enzyme that is secreted by the pancreas. It also helps in the protein digestion process.

Chymotrypsin is an enzyme that is secreted by the pancreas. On reaching the intestine, chymotrypsin helps in the digestion of proteins,peptones and proteoses into dipeptides.