Zymogenic cells of gastric gland secrete

Options

A. Pepsinogen
B. Trypsin
C. Pepsin
D. Chymotrypsin

Answer

To answer the question about the secretion of zymogenic cells of the gastric gland, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify Zymogenic Cells**: Zymogenic cells, also known as chief cells, are specialized cells located in the gastric glands of the stomach.

2. **Understand Their Function**: The primary function of zymogenic cells is to secrete digestive enzymes that are crucial for the digestion of proteins.

3. **Identify the Specific Secretion**: The main secretion of zymogenic cells is pepsinogen, which is an inactive precursor (pro-enzyme) of the enzyme pepsin.

4. **Activation of Pepsinogen**: Once pepsinogen is secreted into the gastric lumen, it is activated to pepsin by the acidic environment of the stomach (specifically by hydrochloric acid).

5. **Role of Pepsin**: Pepsin is an active enzyme that begins the process of protein digestion by breaking down protein molecules into smaller peptides.

### Final Answer:
The zymogenic cells of the gastric gland secrete pepsinogen, which is an inactive enzyme that is converted to the active enzyme pepsin in the acidic environment of the stomach.

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