pepsin
/ˈpɛpsɪn/ · pep·sin
noun
- A digestive enzyme that chemically digests, or breaks down, proteins into shorter chains of amino acids. Pepsin is secreted by the chief cells in the stomach lining and plays a crucial role in protein digestion.
noun
- A type of enzyme found in the stomach that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. Pepsin is an essential component of the digestive system, working in conjunction with other enzymes to break down food into nutrients.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Did you know? Pepsin was first isolated in 1836 by French chemist Gaspard Auguste Tissot, who discovered it in the stomach lining of a cow.