Final answer:
The stomach uses enzymes like pepsin along with hydrochloric acid (HCl) to break down proteins into amino acids. Pepsin works by breaking down long protein chains into shorter pieces, which can be further digested into individual amino acids in the small intestine.
Step-by-step explanation:
Enzymes in the Stomach and Their Functions
During the digestive process, the stomach uses a variety of enzymes to break down macromolecules. One key enzyme is pepsin, which is produced in the stomach. Pepsin's primary role is to breakdown proteins into shorter polypeptides, which can then be further digested as they move into the small intestine.
Hydrochloric Acid (HCl), while not an enzyme, creates an acidic environment in the stomach that aids in proteolysis, the breakdown of proteins, by activating pepsin. Together, HCl and pepsin initiate the digestion of proteins into amino acids.
In addition to these components, the digestive juices in the stomach also contain enzymes, acid, and mucus produced by cells in the stomach wall that together begin the digestion of proteins in food. As mentioned, the end product of the action of pepsin and the stomach acid is smaller chains of amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins.