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Protein Digestion and Absorption

1) Proteins are digested through a multi-step process involving both mechanical and chemical breakdown. They are first broken down in the mouth and stomach through chewing and gastric juices. 2) In the small intestine, pancreatic enzymes and intestinal enzymes further break down the protein fragments into individual amino acids. 3) Amino acids are then absorbed through the intestinal walls and transported to the bloodstream to be used throughout the body.

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706 views

Protein Digestion and Absorption

1) Proteins are digested through a multi-step process involving both mechanical and chemical breakdown. They are first broken down in the mouth and stomach through chewing and gastric juices. 2) In the small intestine, pancreatic enzymes and intestinal enzymes further break down the protein fragments into individual amino acids. 3) Amino acids are then absorbed through the intestinal walls and transported to the bloodstream to be used throughout the body.

Uploaded by

SIJI
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Protein Digestion

and absorption
How are proteins digested and absorbed by our bodies? Hi
Let’s follow the specific path that proteins take down the gastrointestinal tract
and into the circulatory system. We will use an egg as our example to describe
the path of proteins in the process of digestion and absorption. Eggs are very
rich in protein.

The first step in egg digestion (or any other protein food) Esophageal
involves chewing. The teeth begin the mechanical breakdown sphincter
of the large egg pieces into smaller pieces that can be
swallowed.
The SALIVARY GLANDS provide some saliva to aid
swallowing and the passage of the partially mashed
egg through the esophagus. The mashed egg pieces
enter the stomach through the esophageal sphincter.
How are proteins digested and absorbed by our bodies?

The stomach(Gastric Glands) releases gastric juices


containing hydrochloric acid and the enzyme, pepsin,
which initiate the breakdown of the protein.

The acidity of the stomach facilitates the unfolding of the


proteins that still retain part of their three-dimensional
structure after cooking and helps break down the protein
aggregates formed during cooking. (Remember
Denaturation – Folded to unfolded state of protein)

Mucosa of the Stomach


Pepsin, which is secreted by the CHIEF CELLS that line the stomach, dismantles the protein chains into
smaller and smaller fragments. Egg proteins are large globular molecules and their chemical breakdown
requires time and mixing. The powerful mechanical stomach contractions churn the partially digested
protein into a more uniform mixture called chyme. Protein digestion in the stomach takes a longer time
than carbohydrate digestion, but a shorter time than fat digestion. Eating a high-protein meal increases the
amount of time required to sufficiently break down the meal in the stomach. Food remains in the stomach
longer, making you feel full longer.
Protein digestion requires the chemical actions of gastric juice and the mechanical actions of the
stomach.
From the Stomach to the Small Intestine

The stomach empties the chyme containing the broken


down egg pieces into the small intestine, where the
majority of protein digestion occurs.

The pancreas secretes digestive juice that contains more


enzymes that further break down the protein fragments.
The two major pancreatic enzymes that digest proteins
are chymotrypsin and trypsin.

The cells that line the small intestine release additional


enzymes that finally break apart the smaller protein
fragments into the individual amino acids.

The process through which proteins are broken down into


NOTE: Pepsin only breaks down long
smaller polypeptide chains or amino acids is called proteolysis.
peptides into smaller fragments of
The process is catalysed by enzymes called proteases.
peptides or Proteins to peptides.
From the Stomach to the Small Intestine

The muscle contractions of the small intestine mix and


propel the digested proteins to the absorption sites. The
goal of the digestive process is to break the protein into
dipeptides and amino acids for absorption.
The process through which proteins are broken down into
smaller polypeptide chains or amino acids is called proteolysis.
The process is catalysed by enzymes
called proteases(peptidase or proteinase)

NOTE: Pepsin only breaks down long


peptides into smaller fragments of
peptides or Proteins to peptides.
From the Stomach to the Small Intestine
In the lower parts of the small intestine, the amino acids
are transported from the intestinal lumen through the
intestinal cells to the blood. This movement of individual
amino acids requires Sodium Co-transporter and the
cellular energy molecule, adenosine triphosphate (ATP).

Amino acids and dipeptides enters the enterocyte then


transported to the bloodstream. Dipeptides are further
broken down by cytoplasmic peptidases and exported
from the cell into blood.

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