The enzyme pepsin digests eggs.
Pepsin and Protein Digestion
Pepsin is a powerful enzyme found in gastric juice and is responsible for breaking down proteins, including those found in eggs. According to the provided reference:
pepsin, the powerful enzyme in gastric juice that digests proteins such as those in meat, eggs, seeds, or dairy products. Pepsin is the mature active form of the zymogen (inactive protein) pepsinogen.
Pepsin is particularly effective at breaking down the complex protein structures in eggs, making them easier to absorb.
How Pepsin Works
Pepsin works by cleaving the peptide bonds in proteins. It is produced in the stomach as an inactive zymogen called pepsinogen. When pepsinogen encounters the acidic environment of the stomach, it is converted into its active form, pepsin. Pepsin then begins breaking down proteins into smaller peptides.
Other Enzymes Involved in Protein Digestion
While pepsin is the primary enzyme for digesting proteins in the stomach, other enzymes in the small intestine contribute to further protein breakdown. These include:
- Trypsin: Breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.
- Chymotrypsin: Breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.
- Carboxypeptidase: Removes amino acids from the carboxyl ends of peptides and proteins.
However, with respect to the digestion of eggs, pepsin is the most relevant enzyme.
