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The acid present in the human stomach that helps in the digestion of food is?
A. Sulphuric acid
B. Hydrochloric acid
C. Citric acid
D. Lactic acid
Correct Answer Is Option = Hydrochloric acid
Notes / Explanation
The acid present in the human stomach that helps in the digestion of food is hydrochloric acid, a strong acid that plays a vital role in the process of digestion. When food is eaten, it travels down to the stomach, which is a muscular organ that acts as a kind of mixing chamber where the food is broken down both physically and chemically before it passes on to the next part of the digestive system. The walls of the stomach contain special cells that produce a digestive fluid, and one of the most important components of this fluid is hydrochloric acid. This acid serves several essential purposes in the process of digestion. One of its main functions is to create the strongly acidic conditions that are needed for certain digestive substances to work properly, because the chemicals that break down the proteins in food can only function effectively in an acidic environment, and the acid provides exactly the conditions they require. Another important function of the acid is to kill many of the harmful germs and bacteria that may be present in the food and drink that a person consumes, thereby helping to protect the body from infection and disease. The acid also helps to soften and break down the food, making it easier for the digestive process to continue. Although hydrochloric acid is a strong and potentially damaging substance, the stomach is protected from being harmed by its own acid by a special lining that produces a layer of mucus, which forms a protective barrier between the acid and the delicate walls of the stomach. If this protective system is disturbed, or if too much acid is produced, it can lead to discomfort and to conditions such as ulcers, which is why the balance of acid in the stomach is important for good health. After the food has been treated by the acid and mixed thoroughly in the stomach, it passes on in a partly digested form to the next stage of the digestive system, where the digestion is completed and the nutrients are absorbed into the body. For PPSC and other competitive examinations, the key points to remember are that the acid present in the human stomach is hydrochloric acid, that it creates the acidic conditions needed for the digestion of proteins, that it helps to kill harmful germs in the food, and that the stomach is protected from its own acid by a lining of mucus.
