James has been having trouble digesting lean steaks and other protein-rich foods, and these foods seem to stay in his stomach longer than usual. James is likely lacking the enzyme ____.

Question

A.  glucagon
B.  pepsin
C.  amylase
D.  bile
E.  lipase

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
· What type of thinking is required?

Gather Content
· What do you know about enzymes that digest proteins? What other information is related to the question?

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?

Answer 1

B.  pepsin

Clarify Question
· What is the key concept addressed by the question?
        o The question asks about enzymes that digest proteins.
· What type of thinking is required?
        o You are being asked to apply your knowledge about enzymes that digest proteins.

Gather Content
· What do you know about enzymes that digest proteins? What other information is related to the question?
        o Your body makes many digestive enzymes, including pepsin, trypsin and chymotrypsin, which digest proteins; amylase, which digests starch; and lipase, which digests fat.

Choose Answer
· Given what you now know, what information is most likely to produce the correct answer?
        o Pepsin is an enzyme that digests proteins, so if James lacks this enzyme he would have digesting protein-rich foods. Amylase is used to digest carbohydrates and lipase digests lipids. Glucagon is a hormone and bile is a fluid that contains bile acids to solubilize fats.

Reflect on Process
· Did your problem-solving process lead you to the correct answer? If not, where did the process break down or lead you astray? How can you revise your approach to produce a more desirable result?
        o This question asked you to apply your knowledge about enzymes that digest proteins. If you got the correct answer, great job! If you got an incorrect answer, where did the process break down? Did you think that glucagon or bile were enzymes? Did you think that amylase or lipase digested proteins?