Question

An enzyme secreted from the gastric glands in stomach that acts on proteins is :
A. Amylase
B. Lipase
C. Maltase
D. Pepsin

Answer 1

Gastric glands are present in the stomach’s mucosa and they secrete mucus and gastric juice. They contain the following types of cells -Mucous neck cells, Peptic or chief cells and Parietal or oxyntic cells.

Complete Answer:
Several complex components like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are converted into simpler molecules by - “Digestion”. It involves many different types of digestive enzymes and gastrointestinal hormones.
The enzymes which are secreted by the gastric glands in the stomach are :-
- Pepsin.
- Rennin.
- Lipase.
Option A: Amylase - Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breaks starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules. It is produced in two areas - Salivary glands & the Pancreatic cells.

Option B: Lipase - It breaks down dietary fats into smaller molecules called - fatty acids and glycerol. A very little quantity of lipase -gastric lipase - is produced by the stomach cells. The pancreas is the primary source of lipase secretion, in the digestive tract.

Option C: Maltase - It catalyzes the hydrolysis of the disaccharide maltose to the simple sugar glucose. It is mostly found in yeast, bacteria and plants; while in vertebrates it is thought to be synthesized by the mucous membrane cells, lining the intestinal wall.

Option D: Pepsin - Gastric juice includes rennin, lipase and pepsin in it. Chief gastric cells secrete pepsin as an inactive zymogen - pepsinogen. Pepsin digests and metabolises proteins into peptones. Thus, this is the correct option.

Therefore, the correct option is D) Pepsin.

Note: Pancreatic cells produce a different type of amylase, known as pancreatic amylase. Pancreas produces pancreatic lipase, which acts in the small intestine and helps in breaking down fats and lipids.