Description of zymogens

Question

Give a brief description of zymogens?

Answer 1

Zymogens, or proenzymes, are enzymes which are secreted in inactive form. Under certain situations a zymogen shifts to active form of enzyme. Zymogen secretions in general ensue because the enzyme activity can damage secretory tissue. For instance, the pepsinogen which is secreted by stomach becomes active under acid pH turning in enzyme pepsin. Other well-recognized zymogens are trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen, enzymes which are secreted by exocrine pancreas and that is become chymotrypsin and trypsin respectively.