Question

Which of the following is NOT a function of the strong hydrochloric acid present in the gastric juice?

Answer 1

Answer: d. breakdown starch

Explanation:

The hydrochloric acid is produced by the parietal cells of the gastric glands present in the stomach. The primary function of the hydrochloric acid is to sterilize the food consumed by the human being. The acidic pH is unsuitable for the survival of the microbes present in the stomach. It triggers the activation of enzyme pepsin which is responsible for denaturation of proteins. The pepsin converts the protein into simple form of amino acids hence, facilitates the digestion of protein content in food.

The starch present in the food is digested by the enzyme called as salivary amylase present in the saliva present inside the mouth. The breakdown and digestion of starch is not the function of the hydrochloric acid.

Answer 2

Answer:

For the given question, out of the four provided options,

option d. breakdown starch

is correct

Explanation:

This can be explained as Hydrochloric acid or HCl performs the basic the functions of :

• Activation of pepsin in the body which breaks down proteins into polypeptides and amino acid.
• When we take protein rich food then HCL creates an environment of pH between 1.5 to 3.5 so as to denature protein present in the food.
• HCl creates an environment acidic in nature which makes the survival of viruses and bacteria very critical.
• Starch breakdown is not carried out by HCl as starch starts to breakdown in the mouth itself and then in small intestine by carbohydrate enzymes
• HCl helps in the digestion of protein by activating pepsin.