Question

Source of trypsin enzyme is

• A. Gastric mucosa
• B. Salivary glands
• C. Pancreas
• D. Small intestine

Hint:

Trypsin is secreted as inactive trypsinogen by the pancreas and is activated in the small intestine by the mucosal enzyme enteropeptidase (enterokinase).

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Digestion of dietary proteins requires specific proteolytic enzymes that cleave peptide bonds.
These enzymes are synthesized as inactive precursors (zymogens) to prevent self-digestion of the secretory tissues.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Trypsin is a key serine protease involved in protein digestion in the small intestine.
It is synthesized as the inactive zymogen, trypsinogen, by the acinar cells of the exocrine pancreas.
Trypsinogen is secreted into the pancreatic juice and enters the duodenum.
In the duodenum, the enzyme enteropeptidase (secreted by the duodenal mucosa) cleaves a specific peptide bond in trypsinogen to produce active trypsin.
Active trypsin then activates other pancreatic zymogens, such as chymotrypsinogen and procarboxypeptidase.
The gastric mucosa secretes pepsinogen, the salivary glands secrete amylase, and the small intestine mucosa secretes brush border enzymes, but the pancreas is the source of trypsin.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The exocrine pancreas is the biological source of the proteolytic enzyme trypsin.