Which cells produce hydrochloric acid that kills bacteria and activates pepsinogen?

Which cells produce hydrochloric acid that kills bacteria and activates pepsinogen?

• A. Parietal cells
• B. Chief cells
• C. Goblet cells
• D. Salivary amylase

Answer: (A)

Parietal cells are responsible for producing the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid creates the highly acidic environment needed to kill many ingested microbes and to provide the low pH that activates pepsinogen into pepsin, the enzyme that begins protein digestion. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, which is activated by the acid; goblet cells produce mucus to protect the stomach lining, not acid; and salivary amylase is produced in the salivary glands and works in the mouth, not in the stomach. So, parietal cells best fit the role of producing HCl that kills bacteria and activates pepsinogen.

Parietal cells are responsible for producing the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This acid creates the highly acidic environment needed to kill many ingested microbes and to provide the low pH that activates pepsinogen into pepsin, the enzyme that begins protein digestion. Chief cells secrete pepsinogen, which is activated by the acid; goblet cells produce mucus to protect the stomach lining, not acid; and salivary amylase is produced in the salivary glands and works in the mouth, not in the stomach. So, parietal cells best fit the role of producing HCl that kills bacteria and activates pepsinogen.