Their chemical breakdown begins in the stomach and continues through the large intestine. Proteolytic enzymes, including trypsin and chymotrypsin, are secreted by the pancreas and cleave proteins into smaller peptides. Carboxypeptidase, a pancreatic brush border enzyme, splits one amino acid at a time. read more
The small intestine is approximately 2.5–3 cm in diameter, and is divided into three sections: The duodenum is the first section of the small intestine and is the shortest part of the small intestine. It is where most chemical digestion using enzymes takes place. The jejunum is the middle section of the small intestine. read more
Digestion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins primarily takes place in the small intestine, and their products go into the bloodstream or lymphatic system. Digestion and absorption happen in a very orderly way within the small intestine, and involves the help of many enzymes, or proteins that the cells use to speed the reactions. read more