What is a protease enzyme?

• A. Breaks down protein
• B. Breaks down starch
• C. Breaks down fat
• D. Builds proteins

Answer: (A)

Proteases are enzymes that break down proteins by cleaving peptide bonds, turning large proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids. In digestion, stomach proteases like pepsin start this process in acidic conditions, and pancreatic proteases such as trypsin and chymotrypsin continue it in the small intestine. Other enzymes target different substrates, with carbohydrases breaking down starches and lipases breaking down fats, while something that builds proteins would not be a protease.