Question

The end products of protein digestion are
A. Monosaccharides
B. Steroids
C. Amino acids
D. Fatty acids

Answer 1

Hint: Organic compounds that contain amine and carboxyl as their functional groups.

Complete answer:
Proteins and amino acids are the building blocks of life. Amino acids are the organic compounds that combine to form proteins. When the proteins are digested only, then only amino acids are left.

Additional information
> There are 20 amino acids in the proteins we consume. These amino acids bond together to form a larger protein molecule.
> Proteins are important nutrients required by the body. The body uses proteins to make hormones, build bones and muscles, and also repair tissue damage.
> Protein digestion occurs in the stomach and duodenum in which three enzymes, pepsin secreted by the stomach and trypsin and chymotrypsin secreted by the pancreas.
> These enzymes break down food protein into polypeptides that are broken down by various peptidases into amino acids.
> The digestive enzymes are mostly secreted in their inactive precursors, called zymogens.
> Trypsin is secreted by the pancreas in the form of trypsinogen, which is activated in the duodenum by enterokinase to form trypsin.
> Trypsin cleaves proteins into smaller polypeptides.
> The end product of protein must be broken down into amino acids.

So, the correct answer is ‘Amino acids’.

Note: Digestion is the breakdown of large insoluble food molecules into water-soluble food molecules so that they can be absorbed by the blood. The food nutrients breakdown into various forms. Proteins are digested and the product form will be amino acids. Fats break down into diglycerides and are digested in the small intestine. Carbohydrates mostly composed of glucose which are broken down by salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase which results in small sugars that can be absorbed by the small intestine.