Biological catalysts like pancreatin and pepsin are best described as which?

• A. Hormones
• B. Enzymes
• C. Vitamins
• D. Minerals

Answer: (B)

Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in the body. Pepsin and pancreatin are classic examples: pepsin is a protease in the stomach that speeds up protein digestion, while pancreatin is a mixture from the pancreas containing proteases, lipases, and amylases that collectively hasten digestion in the small intestine. They work by binding substrates and lowering the activation energy of reactions, and they are not consumed in the process.

They aren’t hormones, which are signaling molecules that regulate other tissues; they aren’t vitamins, which are organic compounds required in small amounts for metabolism (and don’t themselves act as catalysts); nor are they minerals, which are inorganic elements serving cofactors or structural roles. Pancreatin and pepsin function as enzymes, the proteins that directly catalyze digestive reactions.