Pepsin vs. Pepsinogen

Pepsinnoun

(enzyme) A digestive enzyme that chemically digests, or breaks down, proteins into shorter chains of amino acids.

Pepsinnoun

A proteolytic enzyme (MW 34,500) contained in the secretory glands of the stomach. In the gastric juice it is united with dilute hydrochloric acid (0.2 per cent, approximately) and the two together constitute the active portion of the digestive fluid. It degrades proteins to proteoses and peptides, and is notable for having a very low pH optimum for its activity. It is the active agent in the gastric juice of all animals.

Pepsinnoun

an enzyme produced in the stomach that splits proteins into peptones

Pepsin

Pepsin is an endopeptidase that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. It is produced in the gastric chief cells of the stomach lining and is one of the main digestive enzymes in the digestive systems of humans and many other animals, where it helps digest the proteins in food.

Pepsinogennoun

(biochemistry) A zymogen that is converted into pepsin by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach.

Pepsinogennoun

A proenzyme, the antecedent of the enzyme pepsin. A substance contained in the form of granules in the peptic cells of the gastric glands. It is readily convertible into pepsin. Also called propepsin.

Pepsinogennoun

precursor of pepsin; stored in the stomach walls and converted to pepsin by hydrochloric acid in the stomach