Question

What breaks down the proteins into simpler substances?

Answer 1

Proteolytic enzymes:

1. Proteins are digested in the stomach and small intestine (duodenum) by various proteolytic enzymes.
2. These enzymes include pepsin, trypsin, chymotrypsin, dipeptidase, exopeptidase, etc.
3. Proteins are first digested in the stomach by the action of pepsin, which converts proteins into smaller polypeptides, i.e. proteoses and peptones.
4. Further, it is broken down into dipeptides and then into amino acids in the duodenum by various enzymes present in the pancreatic secretion and succus entericus.