proteolysis
/ˌproʊtiˈɑləsɪs/
noun
- The process in which proteins are broken down into smaller parts, such as peptides or amino acids, often by enzymes.
- Some medicines work by triggering proteolysis to destroy harmful proteins in the body.
- Scientists study proteolysis to understand how cells recycle damaged proteins.
- During digestion, proteolysis helps break down the protein in meat into amino acids the body can use.