What is the primary function of proteases?

The primary function of proteases is to break down proteins into amino acids. Proteases are enzymes that specifically target the peptide bonds in protein molecules, facilitating the process of digestion. This breakdown is essential because proteins, which are large and complex molecules, must be reduced to their building blocks—amino acids—before they can be absorbed by the body and utilized for various functions such as tissue repair, enzyme production, and other metabolic processes.

In the digestive system, proteases are secreted in the stomach and small intestine, where they play a crucial role in protein digestion. The presence of these enzymes ensures that dietary proteins from foods such as meat, dairy, and legumes are effectively converted into amino acids, making them accessible for the body's use.

While emulsifying fats is a function of bile salts rather than proteases, breaking down carbohydrates is the role of different enzymes called amylases. Although proteases do catalyze reactions in the stomach, their primary and direct function is the specific breakdown of proteins. Hence, the choice about breaking down proteins into amino acids accurately captures the fundamental role of proteases in digestion.