noun
- An enzyme produced in the stomach that breaks down proteins during digestion; also called pepsin.
Usage: Also spelled 'pepsin' (more common modern spelling).; Scientific/medical term.
Examples
- Pepsine is secreted by the gastric glands in the stomach lining.
- The enzyme pepsine works best in acidic conditions to digest protein.
- Without pepsine, the stomach cannot efficiently break down meat and other proteins.
- Pepsine begins the process of protein digestion in the stomach.