Question

____is the consequence of inappropriate activation of enzymatic precursors (zymogens) in the pancreas. Activation leads to autodigestion of the organ. What are the two most common causes?

Answer 1

Pancreatitis results from the premature activation of pancreatic enzymes, with gallstones and alcohol consumption being common causes. The pancreas secretes enzymes as inactive proenzymes, and the trypsin inhibitor helps prevent premature activation.

Step-by-step explanation:

Pancreatitis is the consequence of inappropriate activation of enzymatic precursors (zymogens) in the pancreas. This activation leads to the autodigestion of the organ. The two most common causes of pancreatitis are gallstones and chronic alcohol consumption, both leading to obstruction or injury that triggers zymogen activation. To prevent this self-destruction, the pancreas produces enzymes in their inactive proenzyme forms. These enzymes are normally activated in the duodenum. The trypsin inhibitor is a protein secreted by the pancreas that prevents inadvertent activation within the pancreas. Moreover, the brush border enzyme enteropeptidase is essential for initiating the conversion of inactive pancreatic enzymes to their active forms outside the pancreas.