Pancreatic Proenzyme Activation Cascade
Key Points from this Cascade:
- Enterokinase is NOT pancreatic — secreted by the DUODENAL MUCOSA (most tested NEET fact)
- Trypsin is the master activator — activates all other proenzymes
- Autocatalytic amplification — trypsin activates more trypsinogen (positive feedback)
- Safety mechanism — proenzymes prevent pancreatic autodigestion
- If Enterokinase fails: ALL pancreatic proenzymes remain inactive → severe protein maldigestion