Question

Gastric digestion takes place efficiently in

• A. Acidic medium
• B. Alkaline medium
• C. Neutral medium
• D. Highly alkaline medium

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Acidic medium

The correct option is A.

Explanation of nb the correct option:

1. Gastric juice consists of mucus, pepsinogen and hydrochloric acid.
2. Hydrochloric acid converts the proenzyme pepsinogen into the active enzyme pepsin.
3. The mucus and bicarbonates play an important role in the protection of mucosal epithelium from excoriation by the concentrated HCl.
4. HCl provides the acidic pH, optimal for pepsin.
5. HCl also helps in the destruction of microorganisms.

Final answer: Gastric digestion takes place efficiently in acidic medium.