Definition & Meaning of "pepsin"

What is "pepsin"?

Pepsin is a digestive enzyme that plays a crucial role in the human body's digestion of proteins. It is produced in the stomach and acts to break down large protein molecules into smaller peptides. Pepsin works optimally in the acidic environment of the stomach, where it helps initiate the process of protein digestion, enabling the body to absorb essential amino acids for various biological functions.