Question

The stomach excretes ________ to kill microorganisms and to activate enzymes that break down food.

Answer 1

Hydrochloric Acid

The main component of gastric acid is hydrochloric acid which is produced by the parietal cells in the glands of the stomach. The secretion is complex and energetically expensive. The release of hydrochloric acid allows the enzymes produced by the gastric chief cells of the stomach to be activated . These enzyme is called pepsinogen which is converted to pepsin. This allows the process of proteolysis and microorganisms can be inhibited by such acidic nature of the environment.

Answer 2

The stomach excretes Hcl (hydrochloric acid) to kill microorganisms and to activate enzymes that break down food.  This implies the correct answer is hydrochloric acid

One of the main functions of the stomach is preliminary digestion and also helps to destroy any pathogen that may be consumed.  

The stomach environment is very acidic and its PH ranges from 1.5 to 3.5. it  is a sac that looks like a bean and it is situated close to the lower ribs.  

Hydrochloric acid is also called stomach acid and it is the only acid that our body can generate.

Further Explanation

However, one of the significant components of stomach acid is hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid constitutes about 0.5 percent of all total acid in the stomach.

Apart from the HCl, other acids present in the stomach include:

• Potassium chloride  (pcl)
• Calcium chloride  (cacl)

The major function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach is to assist in breaking down food, help in food digestion and also help the body to get essential nutrients such as protein.

Hydrochloric acid also helps to eliminate foreign microorganisms and helps the body to prevent infection.

Therefore, the stomach excretes HCL (hydrochloric acid) to kill microorganisms and to activate enzymes that break down food.

LEARN MORE:

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KEYWORDS:

• stomach
• hydrochloric acid
• microorganism
• enzymes
• excretes