Protein catabolism is the breakdown of proteins into amino acids and simple derivative compounds. It begins in the stomach where the enzyme pepsin begins digesting proteins into peptide fragments and some amino acids. In the small intestine, trypsin, chymotrypsin, and carboxypeptidase further break down the proteins and peptides into smaller peptides and single amino acids. Aminopeptidase and dipeptidase continue this digestion until amino acids, dipeptides, and tripeptides can be absorbed through the small intestine.