Question

Why is pepsin inactive?

Answer 1

Pepsin:

1. Endopeptidase enzymes degrade proteins into peptides, and pepsin is one of them.
2. It is one of the most essential digestive enzymes in humans and many other animals' digestive systems, where it aids in the breakdown of proteins in the diet.
3. Pepsin is released as inactive pepsinogen by gastric glands to shield the cells of these secretory glands from the enzyme's powerful protein-digesting action.
4. The enzyme's inactive form is activated by the stomach lumen's acidic pH, and the stomach wall is protected by the mucus lining.