7.4.7

Pepsin & Trypsin

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Pepsin & Trypsin

Pepsin and trypsin are both enzymes that break down proteins for absorption.

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Proteins and digestion

  • Enzymes are substances that speed up chemical reactions in the body.
  • They help break down large food molecules into smaller ones that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
  • Proteases are a specific type of enzyme that breaks down proteins.
  • Pepsin and trypsin are two important examples of proteases.
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Pepsin

  • Pepsin is a protease enzyme found in the stomach.
    • It works best in a strong acidic condition (low pH, due to stomach acid).
  • Its job is to break down protein into smaller chains of amino acids called peptides.
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Trypsin

  • Trypsin is another protease enzyme, released from the pancreas into the small intestine.
    • It works best in alkaline conditions (higher pH, due to bile neutralising stomach acid).
  • Trypsin continues the job of breaking down proteins and peptides into even smaller molecules (into individual amino acids), ready for absorption.
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Why are both important?

  • Pepsin starts protein digestion in the stomach.
  • Trypsin completes the process in the small intestine.
  • The final products, amino acids, are absorbed into the blood and used for growth and repair.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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