answersLogoWhite

0

Here are two to get you started:

  1. To provide ideal pH conditions for the enzymes pepsin and trypsin - proteases responsible for breaking down proteins in our food.
  2. To kill off any bacteria or other pathogens that are contaminating the food we eat.

After this, I'm stuck for ideas...

I'm not too sure that the first answer is completely correct. Pepsin is correct, but I believe that trypsin is secreted by the pancreas and enters the GI tract in the duodenum, not the stomach. Therefore, the contents of the stomach have been nuetralized to a pH of 8 (up from a pH of 2 in the stomach) by the time trypsin is exposed to them, which is trypsin's optimal pH.

Trypsin is also activated from trypsynogen (its inactive form) by enteropeptidase, which is an enzyme secreted by the cells of the duodenum, and also not found in the stomach.

Therefore, I believe that providing the ideal pH for trypsin is NOT one of the function of the stomach.

On another note, other functions of the stomach acid are to convert pepsinogen into its active form of pepsin, along with providing the ideal environment for pepsin activity; and to denature protiens so that their bonds are more exposed and easliy accessible by pepsin, trypsin, and chymotrypsin.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

What else can I help you with?

Related Questions

What is a powerful acid made in the stomach that has digestive functions?

pyruvic acid My answer is Gastric acid, its a digestive fluid in the stomach It has pH of 1.5-3.5 and is composed of hydrochloric acid


What part of the stomach functions as a mixing chamber for food and secretions?

the body of the stomach


Is stomach acid alkalis or acid?

stomach acid is and acid


Is stomach acid acid or alkali's?

stomach acid is and acid


If stomach acid leaks into your stomach do you die?

stomach acid is already in your stomach...


Why does vomit have acid in it what is the acid?

The acid in vomit is typically stomach acid, which is composed of hydrochloric acid. Stomach acid helps break down food and kill bacteria in the stomach. When someone vomits, the stomach contents are brought up, including the acid.


Is the acid in your stomach HCI or HCL?

The acid in your stomach is HCl with a lowercase L.


Do you have acetic acid in your stomach?

You will have acetic acid in your stomach if you drink vinegar. If you dont, then you wont have. The acid in your stomach is hydrochloric acid.


Is stomach acid an acid or base?

Stomach acid is quite strong Hydrochloric Acid


How do the epithelia of the esophagus and stomach relate to their specific functions?

By relating to their specific excretions. While they do share some excretory functions and products, the main function that they do not share is that stomach epithelial cells secrete hydrochloric acid.


What acid is there in your stomach?

The main acid in the stomach to aid in digestion is hydrchloridic acid. Several enzymes are also released.


What is the purpose of the secretion of acid into the lumen of the stomach?

The acid in the glandular stomach has two main functions. The first is as a microbiologic barrier - most bacteria, viruses and parasites are unable to survive the low pH of the stomach. The second is to start denaturing proteins by breaking apart the tertiary structure bonds and some of the primary structure amino acid bonds.