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Multiple Choice
Which type of cell in the stomach is primarily responsible for secreting digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid?
A
Parietal cells
B
Gastric mucous cells
C
Chief cells
D
Gastric gland cells (chief and parietal cells)
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the function of the stomach in digestion. The stomach plays a critical role in breaking down food using mechanical and chemical processes, including the secretion of digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid.
Step 2: Learn about the types of cells in the stomach lining. The stomach contains specialized cells, including parietal cells, chief cells, and gastric mucous cells, each with distinct roles in digestion.
Step 3: Focus on parietal cells. Parietal cells are responsible for secreting hydrochloric acid (HCl), which lowers the pH of the stomach and activates digestive enzymes like pepsin.
Step 4: Focus on chief cells. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, an inactive precursor to pepsin, which is activated by the acidic environment created by HCl. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.
Step 5: Combine the roles of parietal and chief cells. Together, parietal cells and chief cells work to produce the acidic environment and enzymes necessary for digestion, making them the primary contributors to the secretion of digestive substances in the stomach.