Question

Which of the following is chiefly digested in the stomach?

• A. Protein
• B. Carbohydrate
• C. Lipids
• D. Fats

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Protein

The correct option is A.

Explanation for the correct option:

Option A:

1. The stomach releases digestive enzymes and acid.
2. The stomach is covered in muscular tissue ridges known as rugae.
3. Periodic contractions of the stomach muscles stir the meal for better digestion.
4. A muscle valve called the pyloric sphincter opens to let food move from the stomach to the small intestine.
5. Protease converts proteins into amino acids.
6. Due to the presence of salivary amylase, digestion begins at the mouth where the sole carbohydrate is broken down.
7. Then, after passing through the esophagus, food enters the stomach where the stomach wall secretes gastric juice that contains pepsin for protein digestion along with HCl and mucus.
8. In the stomach, protein is most thoroughly digested.

Explanations for the incorrect options:

Option B:

1. Sugar molecules make up carbohydrates or carbs.
2. Carbohydrates are one of the three primary nutrients included in foods and beverages, along with proteins and fats.
3. Glucose is created by your body's breakdown of carbs.
4. In the stomach, protein digestion takes longer than carbohydrate digestion but less time than fat digestion.

Option C:

1. Any organic molecule that is soluble in oil or fat but not in water is a lipid.
2. They serve as energy-storage molecules and chemical messengers and include fats, waxes, oils, hormones, and certain membrane components.
3. Lipids, which are fats and oils, are broken down by the enzyme lipase into glycerol and fatty acids.

Option D:

1. Fat is typically defined as any ester of fatty acids, or a combination of such compounds, most frequently those that occur in living things or food, in the fields of nutrition, biology, and chemistry.
2. In the stomach, protein digestion takes longer than carbohydrate digestion but less time than fat digestion.

Final answer: Protein is chiefly digested in the stomach.