Question

How proteins are broken down?

Answer 1

protein is one of the prominent substances in our body. Our organs and many hormones are basically made up of protein. It also aids to mend and maintain our body tissues. The protein is a huge nutrient molecule which has smaller units of amino acids. There are 20 amino acids, but our body can produce only 11.

Complete answer:
Protein breakdown starts when we chew. The two enzymes lipase and amylase which are present in our saliva, break down carbohydrates and fats mostly. When protein reaches our stomach, the proteins are broken down into smaller chains of amino acids by hydrochloric acid and enzymes known as proteases. Then the small chains reached into the small intestine. As they reach, our pancreas discharges enzymes and a bicarbonate buffer. The bicarbonate buffer lessens the acidity. The lessened in the acidity promotes more enzymes to break down further chains of amino acids into a single chain. When the proteins are absorbed then they are released in the bloodstream. And then they are conveyed to cells in our body which begin to repair tissues and muscle building.

Note:
The proteins are also absorbed in the small intestine. The small intestine has microvilli. These are finger-like structures which grow in the absorption area. This helps in absorbing amino acids and nutrients. The best way to increase protein absorption is to select a diet which contains the other nine amino acids which our body can’t produce. Producing and destroying the proteins are a basic part of the operation of a cell. In the catabolism those amino acids which are made can be directly converted to make new proteins.