Question map
Which one of the following is not an enzyme?
Explanation
Amylase, pepsin, and trypsin are all digestive enzymes. Amylase is secreted by the salivary glands and pancreas to break down carbohydrates [t1, t6]. Pepsin is a protein-digesting enzyme produced in the stomach that functions optimally in an acidic environment [c2, t8]. Trypsin is a protease secreted by the pancreas that aids in protein digestion within the small intestine [c1, t4]. In contrast, somatotropin (also known as human growth hormone or hGH) is not an enzyme but a polypeptide hormone [t3, t9]. It is secreted by the somatotroph cells in the anterior pituitary gland and is essential for regulating body growth, linear bone development, and metabolism [t2, t9]. While enzymes act as biological catalysts for chemical reactions like digestion, somatotropin acts as a signaling molecule that binds to receptors to regulate physiological processes [t3].
Sources
- [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Activity 5.3 > p. 85
- [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Activity 5.3 > p. 86
- [3] https://deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/hgh.pdf