Why is acid needed in the stomach?

Answer 1

The stomach is acidic in order to kill any bacteria that enter the stomach. The acid does not break down food, but contains an enzyme called protease, a form of pepsin, which breaks down proteins into polypeptide chains. No further digestion takes place in the stomach, as this takes place in the ileum, small intestine. The stomach has to maintain its acidity for the enzyme protease to function. The stomach acid is very acidic, but is also quite dilute, and the acid (Hydrochloric Acid) is fairly harmless in this diluted state.

Answer 2

The stomach is acidic [secondarily] in order to kill any bacteria that enter the stomach; and primarily so that the acid [H-Cl] does break down the peptide bonds of proteins and polypeptides into polypeptides and amino acids; and also contains an enzyme called pepsin, a form of protease, which also breaks down proteins into polypeptide chains, and polypeptides into amino acids.

Further digestion takes place in the stomach, and then in the ileum, or small intestine. The stomach has to maintain its acidity for the enzyme protease to function. The stomach acid is very caustic.

Answer 3

The contents themselves aren't acidic, it's the gastric acids, that dissolve the the foods for better digestion.

Answer 4

to break down the food

Answer 5

for the food to be digested

Answer 6

To break down food and aid digestion