PEPSINS Meaning and
Definition
-
Pepsins are a group of digestive enzymes that facilitate the breakdown of proteins in the stomach. They are produced and secreted by the chief cells found in the gastric glands of the stomach lining. Pepsins play a vital role in the initial stages of protein digestion.
These enzymes are classified as proteases, which means they have the ability to break down peptide bonds in proteins. Pepsins work most effectively in an acidic environment, which is why they are mainly active in the stomach, where gastric acid is secreted. The low pH created by gastric acid activates pepsins, allowing them to unfold and initiate protein digestion.
Pepsins primarily target large protein molecules and cleave them into smaller peptide fragments. Once proteins are broken down by pepsins, they become more easily digested by other enzymes, such as trypsin and chymotrypsin, as they continue along the digestive tract.
These digestive enzymes are essential for the body to effectively extract amino acids from ingested proteins. Amino acids are the building blocks the body requires for various physiological functions, including the synthesis of new proteins.
Overall, pepsins are critical for protein digestion and absorption, ensuring the body obtains the necessary nutrients from dietary proteins for growth, repair, and maintenance.
Common Misspellings for PEPSINS
- oepsins
- lepsins
- -epsins
- 0epsins
- pwpsins
- pspsins
- pdpsins
- prpsins
- p4psins
- p3psins
- peosins
- pelsins
- pe-sins
- pe0sins
- pepains
- pepzins
- pepxins
- pepdins
- pepeins
- pepwins
Etymology of PEPSINS
The word "pepsins" has its roots in the Greek language. It is derived from the Greek word "pepsis", which means "digestion". The "-in" suffix indicates that it is an enzyme. Therefore, "pepsins" refers to a group of digestive enzymes that are specifically involved in the breakdown of proteins in the stomach during digestion.
