Answer to Question #112719 in Cell Biology for Judy

Question

Describe how our bodies would use dehydration synthesis and hydrolysis to take the protein in our breakfast and make it a usable form?

Answer 1

Proteins obtained from food in the body undergo complete hydrolysis under the action of peptidases. In the stomach, proteins are partially broken down by pepsin. Further cleavage occurs in the small intestine under the action of pancreatic enzymes (trypsin, chymotrypsin, elastase, carboxypeptidase) and intestinal mucosal enzymes (aminopeptidase and dipeptidase). There is a complete hydrolytic breakdown of food proteins to amino acids, which are absorbed.