What process do proteins undergo to become amino acids during digestion?

During digestion, proteins undergo hydrolysis to break down into amino acids. Hydrolysis is a chemical process where water molecules are used to cleave the peptide bonds that link amino acids together in protein structures. This reaction is facilitated by enzymes called proteases, which act on the proteins in food as they pass through the digestive tract.

As proteins are broken down into smaller polypeptides and eventually into individual amino acids through hydrolysis, these amino acids can then be absorbed by the intestines and utilized by the body for various functions such as building new proteins, repairing tissues, and serving as precursors for neurotransmitters and hormones.

Other processes mentioned, like fermentation, oxidation, and denaturation, do not serve the same purpose in converting proteins into amino acids. Fermentation relates more to the breakdown of carbohydrates by microorganisms and does not occur in the protein digestion process. Oxidation refers to the loss of electrons or increase in oxidation state during a chemical reaction and isn't involved in the breakdown of proteins. Denaturation involves the alteration of a protein's structure due to external conditions such as heat or pH changes, which prepares the protein for digestion but does not itself break the protein into amino acids. Hence, hydrolysis is the correct answer as it directly describes