Question

What is the function of the enzymes trypsin and chymotrypsin?

Answer 1

Trypsin:

1. Trypsin is an enzyme that helps digest proteins. Trypsin breaks down proteins and continues the digestive process in the small intestine. Also called a proteinase.
2. Trypsin is produced by the pancreas in an inert form called trypsinogen. Trypsinogen is converted into active trypsin once it enters the small intestine via the bile duct. This active trypsin works in concert with two other major digestive proteinases (pepsin and chymotrypsin) to break down food proteins into peptides and amino acids.

These amino acids are essential for muscle growth, hormone production, and other important physical functions like:

1. Produce hormones
2. Strengthening muscle growth
3. Tissue repair (including skin, muscle, bone, cartilage, and blood)
4. Structure of neurotransmitters in the brain

Chymotrypsin:

1. When a protein enters the duodenum (where the stomach meets the small intestine), the pancreas releases several enzymes that are used to break down the protein chains into individual amino acids.
2. One of these enzymes is chymotrypsinogen, an inactive form of chymotrypsin.
3. Once chymotrypsinogen enters the small intestine, another enzyme, trypsin, can activate chymotrypsinogen by hydrolyzing and cleaving the enzyme. At this point, chymotrypsin, an enzyme that can break down proteins, is activated.
4. Chymotrypsin acts on aromatic amino acids (tyrosine, phenylalanine, tryptophan).
5. Chymotrypsin can enter the site of a protein chain containing tyrosine, phenylalanine, or tryptophan residues and cleave the protein at that site.