Is the stomach a muscle

Answer 1

No the stomach most definitely is not an enzyme. Enzymes are molecules which catalyse reactions in the body. The stomach is an organ, although it does produce certain enzymes, it isn't one itself.

Answer 2

Firstly, stomachs are composed of tissue, not protein. The issue with the stomach and its contents is the hydrochloric acid (HCl) that is produced, not the proteases (protein-digesting enzymes). The HCl in a human stomach has a pH of around 1.5-2, strong enough to dissolve nails.

The parietal cells (cells that line the stomach) secrete the HCl but are not destroyed by it because the H+ ions and the Cl- ions are released separately, combining in high concentrations in the lumen. Additionally, the wall of the stomach is lined with mucus, a viscous and slippery mixture of glycoproteins, cells, salts, and water. The top-layer cells of the stomach are also very mitotically active, adding new cells to the epithelium layer every three days, preventing self-digestion.

Answer 3

It has muscle tissue, but it itself is not a 'muscle'.

Answer 4

Yes - using proteases such as pepsin and trypsin.

Answer 5

It is an organ made of different tissue types. There is a glandular component that produces the stomach acid (among other substances) to help digest food.