Which enzyme is secreted by the stomach to aid in digestion?

• A. Amylase
• B. Lipase
• C. Pepsin
• D. Trypsin

Answer: (C)

The enzyme that is secreted by the stomach to aid in digestion is pepsin. Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme that plays a crucial role in breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. It is secreted in an inactive form called pepsinogen by the chief cells in the stomach lining. When food enters the stomach and the acidic environment is created, pepsinogen is activated into pepsin, enabling it to start the protein digestion process.

Understanding the function and activation process of pepsin is critical as it highlights the specialized role the stomach plays in digestion, particularly in protein breakdown, which is a key part of the digestive process. Other enzymes listed, such as amylase and lipase, are involved in the digestion of carbohydrates and fats, respectively, and trypsin is an enzyme that is produced by the pancreas and acts in the small intestine, not the stomach.