British Sign Language Glossaries of Curriculum Terms

BSL Environmental Science Glossary - Protease definition

Definition: Protease is the enzyme that breaks down proteins. Protein molecules are too big to be absorbed by the body so protease breaks down proteins into smaller molecules like polypeptides and amino acids, so that the proteins in food can be better used in the body in their smaller forms. When protein is ingested, it goes to the stomach, where acid and proteases break it down into polypeptides and then further into amino acids. Proteases are also released into the small intestine from the pancreas behind the stomach, which breaks the proteins further. They are then taken up into the bloodstream from the small intestine and out to the rest of the body for use.