Question

If for some reason the parietal cells of the gut epithelium become partially non-functional, what is likely to happen?

• A. The pancreatic enzymes, specially trypsin and lipase will not work efficiently.
• B. pH of stomach will fall abruptly.
• C. Steapsin will be more effective.
• D. Pepsin will not adequately hydrolyze proteins to proteases and peptones.

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Pepsin will not adequately hydrolyze proteins to proteases and peptones.

Parietal cells (also known as oxyntic or delomorphous cells) are the stomach epithelial cells that secrete gastric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor. Protein hydrolysis is the breakdown of protein into smaller peptides and free amino acids. Pepsin is the main gastric enzyme that breaks proteins into smaller peptides. The optimal pH for pepsin activity is 1.8 to 3.5. Therefore, it is active in the highly acidic medium of gastric juice.