Does acid, specifically hydrochloric acid, in the stomach play a role in digestion?
Yes. They play an important role in activating pepsin. Pepsinogen, which is the inactive form, becomes activated (pepsin) by stomach acid. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins (e.g. pork and chicken) into smaller particles. This will make the enzymes in the small intestine work more effectively in breaking down these proteins into even smaller substances so it can easily be absorbed in the gut and be used by the body.
Hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which has a pH of about 2.0, also kills some bacteria and other microorganisms that might have entered the stomach through ingestion of food or water.
Sources:
Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.
Seeley, R. et al: ESSENTIALS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 5th ed. McGraw – Hill, 2005.
Page Last Revised: July 29, 2012
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Yes. They play an important role in activating pepsin. Pepsinogen, which is the inactive form, becomes activated (pepsin) by stomach acid. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins (e.g. pork and chicken) into smaller particles. This will make the enzymes in the small intestine work more effectively in breaking down these proteins into even smaller substances so it can easily be absorbed in the gut and be used by the body.
Hydrochloric acid in the stomach, which has a pH of about 2.0, also kills some bacteria and other microorganisms that might have entered the stomach through ingestion of food or water.
Sources:
Tortora, G. and Grabowski, S.: PRINCIPLES OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 10th ed. John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 2003.
Seeley, R. et al: ESSENTIALS OF ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY. 5th ed. McGraw – Hill, 2005.
Page Last Revised: July 29, 2012
[Top of Page]
