Question

The acid present in the stomach

• A. Kills the harmful bacteria that may enter along with the food.
• B. Protects the stomach lining from harmful substances.
• C. Digest starch into simpler sugars.
• D. Makes the medium alkaline.

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Kills the harmful bacteria that may enter along with the food.

The correct option is A

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Animals have a stomach in their gastrointestinal cavity.
2. It helps in the churning of masticated food into chyme, which is partially digested food.
3. The stomach secretes gastric fluids and a moderate acid known as hydrochloric acid into the chyme as it churns.
4. Hydrochloric acid is an acid, it does not make the stomach medium alkaline. Instead, it makes the medium acidic, which aids the correct functioning of specific enzymes.
5. The acidic conditions of the stomach also help in the killing of pathogenic microbes that enter along with the food particles.

Explanation of the incorrect option:

Option B:

The mucus released by the stomach itself protects the stomach lining.

Option C:

The stomach lacks digestive enzymes that are required for starch digestion, and acid lacks the capacity to break down starch.

Option D:

1. The stomach acid will make the medium acidic rather than alkaline.
2. It has a strong acidity and aids in the digestion of food.
3. As food passes through your digestive tract, this helps to absorb nutrients more quickly.

Final answer: The acid present in the stomach kills the harmful bacteria that may enter along with the food.