Answer
Pepsinogen is an enzyme precursor secreted by the chief cells of the gastric glands of the stomach. This zymogen is converted into the active proteolytic enzyme, pepsin, when hydrochloric acid chemically removes some of its amino acids.
Work Step by Step
One of the functions of pepsin is to simplify (digest) proteins to give small peptides and amino acids. But pesinhas an autocatalytic effect: this means that when the active enzyme, pepsin, is formed it assists in the formation of more pepsin from pepsinogen.
The small peptides and oligopeptides that result from pepsin digestive action, pass into the small intestine where the digestion to amino acids is completed by the enzyme trypsin.
