what is the role of acid in our stomach ?
Answers
Role of acid in our stomach:
During digestion process, acidic gastric juice is secreted in the stomach. In stomach the food is stored for 4-5 hours. During this period chemical digestion of food occurs. The acidic gastric juice is made up of Hydrochloric acid, mucus and bicarbonates.
The proenzyme secreted by the gastric gland of stomach gets activated into active enzyme called pepsin a proteolytic enzyme when it comes in contact with the hydrochloric acid. The acid provides the optimal temperature for the action of the pepsin and in turn pepsin converts the proteins into peptides.
Mucus and bicarbonates act as lubricators and protects the mucosal epithelium layer of stomach by getting affected by the concentrated hydrochloric acid.
Answer:
The acid in our stomach aids in digestion of complex food molecules into simpler ones and converts it into absorbable form.
Explanation:
- In the process of digestion, hydrochloric acid is crucial.
- As the stomach's pH is lowered by the hydrochloric acid, gastric enzymes like pepsinogen are transformed from their inactive to active forms, which helps to start digestion.
- Food cannot be digested if there is no hydrochloric acid present.
- Thus, it provides an acidic medium in which the enzyme pepsin digests the protein and kills the bacteria present and hence, it also protect our stomach from the microbial growth.
- Therefore, hydrochloric acid facilitates digestion by dissolving big food molecules into smaller ones, which helps our body break down, digest, and absorb nutrients from the food.
#SPJ6