Module 7 Protein Digestion

The first half of module seven discussed protein digestion, absorption, and metabolism; while the second half focused on pathological stress and kidney disease. Protein digestion occurs in the stomach and small intestine. When a protein reaches the stomach it is denatured by hydrochloric acid. Once the protein is digested pepsin breaks apart the denatured protein into peptides. Peptides move into the small intestine where they encounter an enzyme that digest the peptides into di- or tripeptides, then into single amino acids. Once the protein is digested into single amino acid groups, then the amino acids can be absorbed into the intestinal epithelial cells. The amino acids are moved from the intestinal epithelial cells into the capillaries of the intestinal villi. From the capillaries of the intestinal villi,
The body responds to this type of stress by initially going into shock which is caused by a decrease in blood pressure. The endocrine system will respond by releasing hormones that will increase the blood glucose and amino acid levels. The body will then enter a hypercatabolic state that results in the body destroying healthy tissue for glucose and amino acids. Skeletal trauma, severe infection, and severe burns can result in a pathological stress response. A pathological stress response can lead to multiple organ failure even when managed appropriately, which causes death in half of intensive care patients. The kidneys are one of the organs that can fail first when the body is pathologically stressed. Kidneys are important for regulating blood pressure, activating vitamin D, filtering and removing waste from the blood, and making hormones that are needed for production of red blood cells. If a person has chronic kidney disease then the kidneys will cease to function properly, and can result in dialysis or even a need for kidney