Final answer:
Extracellular chemical protein digestion starts in the stomach with the action of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and the enzyme pepsin, continuing into the small intestine with enzymes like chymotrypsin and trypsin for further breakdown.
Step-by-step explanation:
The extracellular chemical digestion of protein begins in the stomach, where a powerful acid called hydrochloric acid (HCl) and an enzyme known as pepsin work together to break down proteins into smaller units called polypeptides. After this initial digestion, the partially digested proteins move to the small intestine, where pancreatic enzymes, including chymotrypsin and trypsin, continue the digestion process by acting on specific peptide bonds within the protein structures. The process is aided by brush border enzymes, such as aminopeptidase and dipeptidase, which reduce peptides to individual amino acids that are then absorbed into the bloodstream.