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pepsin Definition

pep·sin (pep′sin)

noun

  1. a digestive enzyme in the gastric juice of stomach secretions that catalyzes the splitting of proteins into smaller, more absorptive peptides
  2. an extract of pepsin from the stomachs of calves, pigs, etc., formerly used as a digestive aid

Etymology: Ger: coined (1836) by T. Schwann (1810-82), Ger physiologist < Gr pepsis, digestion < peptein, earlier pessein, to cook, digest < IE base *pekw- > L coquere, cook

pepsin Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • immobilize: Magnetic beads containing immobilized pepsin have been shown to be most practical.
  • contain: In the stomach, the gastric gland produces gastric juices that contain the enzyme pepsin that breaks down proteins.

Adjective modifier

  • digestive: Acid and the digestive enzyme pepsin are secreted here.

Modifies a noun

  • enzyme: This experiment appears to demonstrate that the delivery of ' healing with intent ' has altered the activity of pepsin enzyme.
  • content: It inhibits basal and stimulated secretion of gastric acid, reducing both the volume of the acid and pepsin content of the secretion.

Noun used with modifier

  • enzyme: In the stomach, the gastric gland produces gastric juices that contain the enzyme pepsin that breaks down proteins.

Browse dictionary entries near pepsin

  1. ‹ peppy
  2. ‹ peppery
  3. ‹ pepperwort
  4. ‹ pepperoni
  5. ‹ peppermint
  6. ‹ pepperidge
  7. ‹ peppergrass
  8. ‹ peppercorn
  9. ‹ pepperbox
  10. ‹ pepper tree
  1. pepsinate ›
  2. pepsinogen ›
  3. peptic ›
  4. peptidase ›
  5. peptide ›
  6. peptize ›
  7. peptone ›
  8. peptonize ›
  9. Pepys ›
  10. Pequot ›