Question

If for some reason the parietal cell of gut epithelium becomes partially non-functional, what is likely to happen

• A. The pancreatic enzymes especially trypsin and lipases will not work efficiently
• B. The pH of the stomach will fall abruptly
• C. Steapsin will be more effective
• D. Proteins will not be adequately hydrolysed by pepsin into proteoses and pepsin

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Proteins will not be adequately hydrolysed by pepsin into proteoses and pepsin

The parietal cells of gut epithelium (also known as oxyntic or delomorphous cells), are the epithelial cells that secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor. HCl is responsible for acidic medium in stomach which is required for activation of pepsinogen to pepsin. So, if parietal cells become partially nonfunctional secretion of HCl is decreased, which in turn will result in decreased activity of pepsin so proteins will not be adequately hydrolyzed.