One function of HCl secreted in the stomach is to convert pepsinogen into the active enzyme pepsin.Why don't stomach cells simply secrete pepsin instead?
A)Adequate amounts of pepsin are already manufactured by the pancreas.
B)Only the pepsinogen version is able to stabilize fat-water emulsions.
C)Pepsin is denatured and rendered inactive in solutions with low pH.
D)If cells produced active pepsin,they would digest their own cellular proteins.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

If cells produced active pepsin, they would digest their own cellular proteins, leading to damage and possibly the death of the cells. This is why pepsinogen, an inactive precursor, is secreted instead and then activated to pepsin in the acidic environment of the stomach.

One Function of HCl Secreted in the Stomach Is to Convert