What happens to protein in meat from the time it enters the mouth until absorbed?

When meat enters the mouth, it is mechanically broken down by chewing and mixed with saliva, which contains enzymes that begin the digestion process. Once swallowed, the meat travels to the stomach, where gastric juices, including hydrochloric acid and pepsin, further break down the proteins into smaller peptides. This partially digested material then moves into the small intestine, where enzymes from the pancreas and the intestinal lining complete the breakdown of peptides into amino acids. Finally, these amino acids are absorbed through the intestinal walls into the bloodstream for use by the body.