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Pepsin is an enzyme used to catalyze the digestion of proteins (found in meat, egg etc.) in the stomach. It breaks down proteins into smaller units (polypeptides and amino acids) for easier digestion in the small intestine.

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13y ago

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What substance in the stomach helps digestion?

The Stomach is where Proteins are digested. This needs an acid environment and enzymes like pepsin. The digested proteins are not absorbed into the body by the stomach - this happens further down the alimentary tract.


What nutrients break down in the stomach?

Proteins are digested in the stomach. Pepsin is the enzyme, which is responsible for breaking the peptide bond of the proteins.


In addition to storage and mechanical breakdown of food what else happens in the stomach?

initiates protein digestion and denatures proteins


Which food molecules are altered in the stomach?

proteins


Is denaturation of proteins a function of the stomach?

Proteins can denature with pH extremes. As the pH of stomach acid, e.g. hydrochloric acid, is 1 to 2, it is quite acidic and ingested proteins can denature within the stomach although I would stop short of saying that it is a function of the stomach.


What the stomach does in the digestion system?

The stomach digests the proteins in a meal. When it is finished digesting those proteins, the food leaves the stomach to be digested more and absorbed in the small intestine.


Where are proteins first metabolized?

Proteins are first metabolized in the stomach, by the enzyme pepsin.


What food types are digested in the stomach?

Proteins


What enzyme completes the digestion of proteins?

Trypsin completes the digestion of proteins. Pepsin in the stomach starts the digestion of proteins.


The stomach contains chemicals that break down proteins carbohydrates calcium or vitamins?

Proteins


Which one of the following is not a function of the stomach to emulsify fats to churn food by means of peristalsis to break down proteins to secrete hydrochloric acid?

Emulsifying fats is not a function of the stomach. The stomach's main functions include churning food via peristalsis, breaking down proteins with digestive enzymes, and secreting hydrochloric acid for digestion.


What does gastric protease do?

breaks down proteins in the stomach