What is the role of HCI in the process of digestion.
Answers
Answer:
Explanation:
Hydrochloric acid contributes to protein digestion by supplying H+ which activates pepsinogen, the precursor to pepsin. Pepsinogen is secreted by chief cells in the gastric glands of the body and antrum of the stomach. Proteins are reduced to fragments of various sizes, called peptides, or amino acids, by pepsin so they can eventually be absorbed in the small intestine. This increase in peptides and amino acids, along with distention from food, further increases HCl secretion. Without adequate HCl secretion, larger fragments of proteins enter the small intestine and may compromise the efficacy of digestive processes. Stress may affect HCl secretion as increased parasympathetic activity to the stomach’s enteric nervous system stimulates the release of acetylcholine, gastrin, and histamine.
Answer:
HCI (Hydrochloric acid) helps breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.
It also helps the stomach digest the proteins in food.