Dipeptidase

Definition

Dipeptidase is an enzyme found in the lining of the small intestine that catalyzes the hydrolysis of dipeptides into their constituent amino acids. This process is a crucial step in the chemical digestion and absorption of proteins.

Related terms

Amino acids: The building blocks of proteins, which are essential for various bodily functions including tissue repair, nutrient absorption, and hormone synthesis.

Proteases: Enzymes that break down proteins into smaller peptides by cleaving peptide bonds within proteins during digestion.

Absorption:

The process by which nutrients from digested food are taken up into the bloodstream from the small intestine to be used by the body