Which organ produces pancreatic proteases such as trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidases?

• A. Pancreas
• B. Stomach
• C. Liver
• D. Gallbladder

Answer: (A)

Proteases that digest proteins in the small intestine are produced by the pancreas. The pancreatic acinar cells synthesize them as inactive precursors (zymogens) like trypsinogen, chymotrypsinogen, and procarboxypeptidases, which are then secreted into the pancreatic ducts and released into the duodenum. In the intestine, enteropeptidase activates trypsinogen to trypsin, and that active trypsin then activates the other zymogens into their active forms. These enzymes break proteins into peptides and amino acids as part of intestinal digestion. The stomach mainly produces pepsin, and the liver and gallbladder are involved in bile production and storage rather than pancreatic proteases, so the pancreas is the source of these enzymes.