pepsinogen
Pepsin's inactive form
Pepsinogen is an inactive precursor protein produced in the stomach lining.
When exposed to stomach acid, it converts to pepsin, the enzyme that breaks down proteins during digestion.
This activation mechanism prevents the enzyme from digesting the stomach's own tissues before reaching food.
zymogen
Inactive enzyme precursor
- precursorSomething that comes first
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- activationSetting into operation
- chymotrypsinogenInactive pancreatic enzyme precursor
gastric
Corrosive hydrogen chloride solution
- mucosaMoist organ lining
- fundusOrgan's innermost portion
- antrumBodily cavity or chamber
- gastric juiceStomach's dissolving secretion
proteolysis
Tendency to split cleanly
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
proenzyme
Inactive enzyme precursor
- precursorSomething that comes first
- inactiveNot currently functioning
- activationSetting into operation
hydrochloric acid
Corrosive hydrogen chloride solution
gastric juice · stomach lining · secretion · exocrine · gastrin
cleavage
Tendency to split cleanly
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- amino acidsOrganic compounds forming proteins
- polypeptideAmino acid polymer
H. pylori
Stomach-dwelling spiral bacterium