Amino Acid Metabolism

Question 1

Describe protein digestion

Answer 1

Acidic stomach environment denatures proteins into random coils which move to the small intestine,
where the low pH stimulates the production of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) to neutralize the acidic pH

Question 2

What 2 enzymes are responsible for digestion of proteins

Answer 2

Pepsin = primary proteolytic enzyme in stomach, max active at pH 2

Enhanced by aminopeptidase N (acts
on the amino-terminal), located in the intestine cells