Answer:
It is important that many digestive enzymes of the stomach and small intestine are synthesized and released as zymogens (inactive enzyme precursors) because it helps to prevent these enzymes from digesting the cells that produce them or other tissues in the body before they reach their intended target.
Zymogens are typically synthesized and stored in an inactive form, either in specialized cells or in secretory granules in the pancreas, stomach, or small intestine. When they are released into the digestive tract, they are activated by various mechanisms such as acid, other enzymes, or physical stretching of the digestive organs. This ensures that the enzymes become active only when they are in the appropriate location in the digestive tract and encounter their specific substrates.
If digestive enzymes were to be released in their active form, they could cause damage to the cells that produce them or other tissues in the body. For example, the enzyme pepsin, which is produced in the stomach, is capable of digesting proteins. If pepsin were to be released in its active form, it could potentially digest the cells that produce it, leading to tissue damage.
Overall, the use of zymogens in the digestive system is a protective mechanism that allows enzymes to be stored safely until they are needed for digestion, minimizing the risk of damage to other tissues in the body.
Step-by-step explanation: