Cervical spine fractures can occur secondary to exaggerated flexion or extension, or because of direct trauma or axial loading. Pathology. The cervical spine is susceptible to injury because it is highly mobile with relatively small vertebral bodies and supports the head which is both heavy and acts as a lever.
The inactive molecule pepsinogen is cleaved in a strongly acidic environment to give off the active enzyme, pepsin. Pepsinogen is produced in the stomach by chief cells.
This prevents excessive acid production and keeps the stomach at an optimal pH around 2. Pepsinogen, as an inactive precursor molecule, is known as a zymogen or a pro-enzyme. The active peptide pepsin is a protease that, along with hydrochloric acid, breaks down food in the stomach into small peptides.