Which digestive enzyme is responsible for breaking down food?

Pepsin, the enzyme chosen, plays a critical role in the digestive process, specifically in breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. It is secreted as an inactive precursor called pepsinogen by gastric chief cells in the stomach, where it is activated by stomach acid. This activation allows pepsin to begin the protein digestion process, which is essential for nutrient absorption in the intestines.

Amylase, on the other hand, primarily breaks down carbohydrates; lipase is responsible for digesting fats; and trypsin aids in the further digestion of proteins in the small intestine. Each enzyme has a specific substrate it acts upon, but pepsin stands out when discussing the initial stages of protein digestion, particularly within the acidic environment of the stomach. Understanding the function of pepsin helps to underscore the complexity of enzymatic activity in the digestive system and highlights the importance of each enzyme in processing different types of nutrients.