Which of the following is a digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas?

Which of the following is a digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas?

• A. pepsin
• B. amylase
• C. lactase
• D. maltase

Answer: (B)

Amylase is a digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in carbohydrate digestion. It catalyzes the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars, such as maltose and dextrin, in the small intestine. This enzyme is produced and released by the pancreas into the duodenum, where it begins the process of starch digestion. Pepsin, on the other hand, is an enzyme that is secreted by the stomach and is involved in the digestion of proteins, not carbohydrates. Lactase and maltase are enzymes produced primarily in the small intestine; lactase breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose, while maltase converts maltose into two glucose molecules. Since these enzymes do not originate in the pancreas, they do not fit the criteria of the question regarding pancreatic digestive enzymes.

Amylase is a digestive enzyme secreted by the pancreas that plays a crucial role in carbohydrate digestion. It catalyzes the breakdown of starch into simpler sugars, such as maltose and dextrin, in the small intestine. This enzyme is produced and released by the pancreas into the duodenum, where it begins the process of starch digestion.

Pepsin, on the other hand, is an enzyme that is secreted by the stomach and is involved in the digestion of proteins, not carbohydrates. Lactase and maltase are enzymes produced primarily in the small intestine; lactase breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose, while maltase converts maltose into two glucose molecules. Since these enzymes do not originate in the pancreas, they do not fit the criteria of the question regarding pancreatic digestive enzymes.