Pepsin

CAS : 9001-75-6

Brand : Macklin 

Weight : 25g

Pepsin from Porcine Stomach

Pepsin is an important enzyme that is covered in the IB biology curriculum. Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme that is responsible for the digestion of proteins in the human digestive system.

The IB syllabus covers the following aspects related to pepsin:

1. Structure and function of pepsin:

   • Pepsin is a aspartic protease enzyme that is secreted by the chief cells in the stomach.

   • It has a specific 3D structure that allows it to catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in proteins, breaking them down into smaller polypeptides and amino acids.

2. Role of pepsin in protein digestion:

   • Pepsin plays a crucial role in the initial stages of protein digestion in the stomach.

   • It helps break down complex dietary proteins into smaller fragments that can be further digested and absorbed in the small intestine.

   • Students need to understand the importance of pepsin in the overall process of protein digestion.

3. Experimental methods to measure pepsin activity:

   • Students may perform experiments to measure the activity of pepsin, such as using casein or other protein substrates and monitoring the rate of protein hydrolysis.

   • These experiments help students understand the catalytic mechanism of pepsin and the factors that can influence its activity.

4. Regulation of pepsin secretion and activity:

   • The secretion of pepsin is regulated by various hormones and neural signals, such as the presence of food in the stomach and the acidity of the stomach environment.

   • Students need to learn about the mechanisms that control pepsin secretion and activity in the human body.

5. Clinical significance of pepsin:

   • Abnormal levels or activity of pepsin can be associated with various gastrointestinal disorders, such as peptic ulcers, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and pancreatitis.

   • Students may discuss the clinical implications and the potential therapeutic applications of pepsin in the IB syllabus.

Overall, the IB biology syllabus covers the essential aspects of pepsin, including its structure, function, role in protein digestion, experimental methods, regulation, and clinical significance.