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Which enzymes are secreted by the pancreas to break down polypeptides in the small intestine?

Chymotrypsin Pepsin Pepsinogen Trypsin Amylase

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Final answer:

Trypsin and chymotrypsin are the enzymes secreted by the pancreas to break down polypeptides in the small intestine.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzymes secreted by the pancreas to break down polypeptides in the small intestine are trypsin and chymotrypsin. Both of these enzymes catalyze the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in protein chains. Trypsin attacks peptide bonds involving the carboxyl groups of the basic amino acids, while chymotrypsin preferentially attacks peptide bonds involving the carboxyl groups of the aromatic amino acids.

User Antonj
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Final answer:

The pancreas secretes trypsin and chymotrypsin as inactive enzymes, which are activated in the small intestine to break down polypeptides into amino acids.

Step-by-step explanation:

The enzymes secreted by the pancreas to break down polypeptides in the small intestine include trypsin and chymotrypsin. These are secreted as inactive enzymes known as trypsinogen and chymotrypsinogen, which are then activated in the small intestine.

Activation involves enteropeptidase from the intestinal mucosal cells converting trypsinogen to trypsin, which in turn activates chymotrypsinogen to chymotrypsin. Both trypsin and chymotrypsin play crucial roles in the hydrolysis of peptide bonds in protein chains, leading to the breakdown of proteins into smaller peptides and ultimately into free amino acids that can be absorbed into the bloodstream.

User Harvey Lin
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