Q. The acidic medium of gastric juice along with an enzyme Pepsin breaks the proteins down into smaller parts known as _____?
Answer: Peptones
Notes: The acidic medium of gastric juice and the enzyme pepsin break down proteins into smaller parts known as peptones. Pepsin is the main enzyme involved in protein digestion. It breaks down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids that can be easily absorbed in the small intestine. The gastric juice contains hydrochloric acid, which helps maintain the pH in the range of 1.5 to 2.5. This pH range is very acidic and is necessary for optimum activity of pepsin. The hydrochloric acid converts inactive enzymes (zymogens) into active enzymes. The gastric glands in the stomach secrete the enzyme pepsin. When pepsinogen is released into the stomach and mixed with gastric juice, it is converted into pepsin.