Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that plays a crucial role in breaking down proteins in the stomach. The primary substrate of pepsin is protein, which it hydrolyzes into smaller peptides. This process begins when proteins are denatured by gastric acids, making them more accessible for enzymatic action.
The products of the enzymatic reaction catalyzed by pepsin are primarily peptides, which are shorter chains of amino acids. These peptides can further be broken down into individual amino acids by other enzymes in the small intestine. Pepsin, therefore, initiates protein digestion, allowing the body to absorb these essential nutrients.