What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?

Function of Hydrochloric acid in Stomach

The mucus neck cells, chief cells, and parietal or oxyntic cells are the three primary cell types in the stomach glands. Mucus neck cells release mucus; chief cells secrete the proenzyme pepsinogen, and parietal or oxyntic cells secrete HCl and intrinsic factors.

• The lateral walls of the stomach glands contain the most parietal cells, which are big and abundant.
• In the stomach, they release hydrochloric acid.
• The surface epithelium is covered in mucous neck cells, which release mucus in the stomach.
• Gastric juice contains mucus and bicarbonates, which are crucial in lubricating and shielding the mucosal epithelium from excoriation by highly concentrated hydrochloric acid.

In our stomachs, hydrochloric acid plays a critical role. It aids in the eradication of dangerous bacteria and other species. Additionally, it serves as a food preservative. The digestive enzymes disintegrate the proteins while the hydrochloric acid (HCL) in the gastric juice breaks down the food. In addition to mucus, HCl serves as another stomach barrier to prevent the pepsin from digesting the entire stomach.

Summary:

What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach? (a) It kills the bacteria which enter the stomach with food (b) It absorbs harmful toxins (c) It converts the food into a semisolid liquid form (d) It helps in purifying the blood

The germs that enter the stomach with food are killed by the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The stomach is a tiny J-shaped pouch that holds food and helps in digestion. Its walls are made of powerful, elastic muscles.