Jane just swallowed an Acetazolamide pill.

Acetazolamide is a drug that inhibits carbonic anhydrase.  Assume that the effect of Acetazolamide are restricted to the stomach only.

What effect would acetazolamide have on the digestion of proteins in Jane's stomach? Justify your answer. (3 marks)

Acetazolamide would slow down digestion of proteins in the stomach. Hydrogen needed for HCl is derived from the reaction of water and CO2 in the parietal cell, which is enzymatically supported by carbonic anhydrase. Therefore, if Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase, one could assume it would reduce the amount of Hydrogen produced in the parietal cell, reducing HCl secretion in the stomach, and slowing protein digestion.