Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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Which enzyme is responsible for the degradation of proteins?

  1. Lipase

  2. Pepsin

  3. Amylase

  4. Trypsin

The correct answer is: Pepsin

The enzyme responsible for the degradation of proteins is pepsin. Pepsin is a protease that is activated in the acidic environment of the stomach and plays a crucial role in the digestion of proteins into smaller peptides. This process begins in the stomach, where pepsin breaks down the protein structures, facilitating their further digestion in the small intestine by other proteases. While other enzymes like trypsin also play a significant role in protein digestion, especially in the small intestine, they act after pepsin has initiated the breakdown of proteins. Therefore, while both pepsin and trypsin are involved in protein digestion, pepsin is the enzyme primarily responsible for starting the protein degradation process in the stomach. Lipase is involved in the breakdown of fats, and amylase is responsible for the digestion of carbohydrates. Hence, among the choices listed, pepsin is specifically acknowledged for its role in degrading proteins at the onset of the digestive process.