Digestion and Absorption for Proteins

Whole proteins are absorbed in the small intestine via what?

-endo and exocytosis

How are amino acids absorbed in the small intestine?

-enter the cell via the Na+/amino acid specific cotransporter -exit via the amino acid transporter

If need be, how are di and tripeptides broken down further in the small intestine?

-pancreatic carboxypeptidases -goes to amino acids

Where does protein digestion occur?

-the small intestine and stomach

What forms of proteins can get absorbed by the small intestine?

-tripeptides, dipeptides, and amino acids

What are the proteases secreted in the small intestine?

-trypsin and chymotrypsin

How are di and tripeptides absorbed in the small intestine?

-via an H+ peptide cotransporter -then broken down inside into amino acids by peptidases -amino acids then exit via the amino acid transporter

How are proteins broken down in the stomach?

-via pepsin -turns it into peptide fragments

How are protein fragments broken down in the small intestine?

-via proteases -turns it into di and tripeptides

What is the overall process of protein digestion?

1. Protein gets broken down by pepsin from chief cells to protein fragments 2. The protein fragments are broken down into di or tripeptides by trypsin and chymotrypsin 3. Di and tripeptides are then broken down to amino acids via pancreatic carboxypeptidases (peptidases)