Question

What is the function of trypsin and chymotrypsin?

Answer 1

Function of trypsin and chymotrypsin:

1. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are the digestive enzymes secreted from the pancreas.
2. These enzymes are secreted as zymogen i.e., the inactive precursor of an enzyme.
3. Inactive precursor trypsinogen is secreted into the small intestine where it is converted into activated form i.e. trypsin with the help of enzyme enterokinase.
4. Trypsin enzyme present in the pancreatic juice helps in enzyme activation i.e. the inactive enzyme chymotrypsinogen into active enzyme chymotrypsin.
5. Activated chymotrypsin further helps in the breakdown of proteins into peptides.
6. Trypsin activates other zymogens of the pancreatic juice including the inactive chymotrypsinogen.
7. Trypsin and chymotrypsin both help in digestion by breaking down the proteins.