NEETChemistryBiomolecules
Oral contraceptive pills containing estrogen and progesterone are highly effective when taken orally, whereas insulin for diabetes management must be administered via injection. What is the primary biochemical basis for this difference in the route of administration?
Options
- AInsulin is a steroid hormone that is poorly absorbed, while oral contraceptives are easily absorbed proteins.
- BInsulin is rapidly excreted by the kidneys if taken orally, whereas oral contraceptives are retained in the bl
- COral contraceptives elicit a weaker immune response in the gut compared to oral insulin.
- DInsulin is a peptide hormone susceptible to digestion by gastrointestinal proteases, whereas oral contraceptiv
Correct answer
D. Insulin is a peptide hormone susceptible to digestion by gastrointestinal proteases, whereas oral contraceptiv
Step-by-step solution
Estrogen and progesterone present in oral contraceptive pills are steroid hormones (lipid-derived) and are not degraded by proteolytic enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract. In contrast, insulin is a peptide hormone. If taken orally, the peptide bonds of insulin would be broken down (digested) by proteases in the stomach and intestine, rendering it biologically inactive before it can be absorbed into the bloodstream. Therefore, it must be injected. Answer: Insulin is a peptide hormone susceptible to digestion by ga