Question

Discuss the main steps in the digestion of proteins as the food passes through different parts of the canal.

Answer 1

• The digestion of the proteins begin in the stomach where it is acted upon by the proteolytic enzyme of the stomach, pepsin. Pepsin converts proteins into proteoses and peptones (peptides).
• Proteins, proteoses and peptons in the chyme reaching the intestine are acted upon by the proteolytic enzymes (trypsin, chemotrypsin, carboxypeptidases) of the pancreatic juice and are converted into dipeptides.
• The enzymes in the succus entericus acts on the end product of the above reaction to form the simple absorbable forms. Dipeptidases present in the succus entericus converts the dipeptides into amino acids.
• Amino acids thus formed are absorbed in the jejunum and ileum regions of the small intestine.