Question

Question 3
What is the role of the acid in our stomach?

Answer 1

When the food descends from the oesophagus through the pyloric sphincter into the folds of the stomach, the bolus is an alkaline ball. The pH level of this bolus is changed to acidic to the tune of < 2.2 by the Hydrochloric acid present in the gastric juice to enable conversion of enzyme pepsinogen to pepsin. Pepsin denatures macromolecules of proteins and helps in protein digestion. The acid also helps in killing any bacteria present in the food.