Describe the chemical digestion of proteins in the stomach?
Question: Describe the chemical digestion of proteins in the stomach?
The chemical digestion of proteins in the stomach is a crucial step in the digestive process. When proteins enter the stomach, they encounter gastric juices that contain hydrochloric acid (HCl) and the enzyme pepsin. The acidity of the stomach, with a pH ranging from 1.5 to 3.5, causes the proteins to denature, meaning their complex three-dimensional structures unfold into simpler structures. This denaturation is essential as it destroys the protein's function and makes the polypeptide chains more accessible for enzymatic digestion. Pepsin, which is secreted by the cells lining the stomach and activated by HCl, begins breaking the peptide bonds within the proteins, creating shorter polypeptide chains. This process is aided by the muscular contractions of the stomach, known as peristalsis, which help churn the partially digested proteins into a more uniform mixture called chyme. The resulting polypeptides will then continue to the small intestine, where further digestion by pancreatic enzymes takes place.
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