Question

Write the procedure involved in the acid and leaf experiment to understand the concept "how the stomach gets protected from its own acid secretions". Compare the observations with the changes that takes place in human digestive system.

Answer 1

The experiment was performed to know that how the stomach gets protected from its own acid secretions. There are two leaves, out of which one is coated with grease. Both the leaves are treated with weak acid. The leaf which is not coated gets degraded due to the action of acid on the cells of the leaves. The leaf which is greased shows no effect of acid.

The cells of the stomach secrete HCl which help in the activation of digestive enzymes. There is secretion of mucus which is rich in bicarbonate ions whichneutralize the acid in the stomach. Thus, the cells of the stomach are protected from getting degraded from its own product.