Epithelial cells that line the inner surface of stomach wall to form gastric glands:
• Chief cells secrete pepsinogen
• Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid
• Mucous cells secrete mucus
How do chief cells and parietal cells work together in protein digestion?
- Chief cells secrete pepsinogen which is an inactive enzyme
- Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid which activates pepsinogen to become pepsin
- Pepsin then hydrolyses proteins into polypeptides
Functions of hydrochloric acid:
• Prepare a medium with a suitable pH for pepsin to act
• Stop the enzymatic action of salivary amylase
• Kill bacteria in food
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