Question

Which of the following is most likely correct about reactions involving chymotrypsin and/or chymotrypsinogen?

a) Chymotrypsin is the zymogen form
b) Chymotrypsinogen is the active form
c) Both are active forms
d) Both are zymogen forms

Answer 1

Chymotrypsin is the active enzyme form, while chymotrypsinogen is the inactive zymogen form that is activated by trypsin to become chymotrypsin, facilitating protein digestion by catalyzing reactions with aromatic amino acids.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer regarding reactions involving chymotrypsin and/or chymotrypsinogen is that chymotrypsin is the active form while chymotrypsinogen is the zymogen or proenzyme form. A zymogen, such as chymotrypsinogen, is secreted in an inactive state and is then activated by another enzyme. In the case of chymotrypsinogen, it is activated by trypsin into chymotrypsin that specifically catalyzes the hydrolysis of peptide bonds involving aromatic amino acids like phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan. This activation process is essential for the regulation of enzyme activity and preventing the premature degradation of proteins within the secreting cells.