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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the primary function of the enzyme pepsin in the human body?
A
It digests lipids into fatty acids and glycerol in the small intestine.
B
It breaks down proteins into smaller peptides in the stomach.
C
It converts glucose to pyruvate during glycolysis.
D
It catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into maltose in the mouth.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of pepsin in the human body. Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it specializes in breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. It is active in the acidic environment of the stomach.
Step 2: Eliminate incorrect options based on the function of pepsin. For example, pepsin does not digest lipids into fatty acids and glycerol; this is the role of lipase enzymes in the small intestine.
Step 3: Consider the option about glucose conversion to pyruvate during glycolysis. This process is catalyzed by enzymes like hexokinase and pyruvate kinase, not pepsin.
Step 4: Evaluate the option about starch hydrolysis into maltose in the mouth. This is the function of salivary amylase, not pepsin.
Step 5: Confirm that the correct answer is the option stating that pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides in the stomach, as this aligns with its primary function.