What is the primary role of pepsin in the digestive process?

Pepsin plays a crucial role in digesting proteins within the stomach. This enzyme is produced in an inactive form known as pepsinogen, which is secreted by gastric chief cells. Once pepsinogen comes into contact with the acidic environment of the stomach, it is activated into pepsin. The primary function of this activated enzyme is to cleave peptide bonds in proteins, breaking them down into shorter polypeptides. This action is essential for the proper digestion of dietary proteins, facilitating their eventual absorption in the small intestine.

Understanding the function of pepsin is fundamental to appreciating how proteins are processed in the digestive system. The other roles related to nutrient absorption, carbohydrate breakdown, and neutralization of stomach acid delineate different processes or involve different enzymes and structures in the digestive system.