Question

Trypsin differs from pepsin because it digests

• A. Carbohydrate in alkaline medium in stomach
• B. Protein, in alkaline medium in stomach
• C. Protein, in acidic medium of stomach
• D. Protein, in alkaline medium in duodenum

Answer 1

Answer: (D)

Protein, in alkaline medium in duodenum

Both pepsin and trypsin are proteolytic enzymes. Pepsin is secreted in the stomach, whereas trypsin is a component of pancreatic juice. Pepsinogen is activated to pepsin in the stomach on exposure to hydrochloric acid. The optimum pH for activity of pepsin is 1.8. Pepsin is a strong endopeptidase and breaks proteins into smaller molecules like peptones, proteoses and peptides. Trypsinogen is activated by the action of enterokinase into active trypsin. Enterokinase is secreted by the duodenal mucosa for activation of trypsinogen. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are endopeptidase type of enzymes and are active in alkaline pH i.e., 7.5 to 8. They dissociate proteins into peptones and proteoses. Thus, the correct answer is option D.