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Chapter 14: Problem 3

What is the main component of stomach acid? Why do we have stomach acid?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The main component of stomach acid is hydrochloric acid (HCl). It aids digestion, activates enzymes, and kills bacteria.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Main Component of Stomach Acid

The main component of stomach acid is hydrochloric acid (HCl).
02

Understand the Purpose of Stomach Acid

Stomach acid helps with digestion by breaking down the food we eat, activating digestive enzymes, and killing harmful bacteria.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Hydrochloric Acid
Hydrochloric acid (HCl) plays a central role in the digestive process. It is a powerful acid found in the stomach and is the main component of stomach acid. Its high acidity creates a low pH environment, which is necessary for the activation of certain digestive enzymes.

Hydrochloric acid begins its work by breaking down the food particles, which exposes more surface area for enzymes to act upon, thus enhancing the overall digestive process. Its concentration within the stomach fluctuates throughout the day, peaking during meals to assist with digestion.
Digestive Enzymes
Digestive enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions in the body, breaking down complex molecules like proteins, carbohydrates, and fats into smaller, absorbable ones. The presence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach activates these enzymes. For example, pepsinogen, an inactive enzyme secreted by the stomach lining, is converted into its active form, pepsin, in the presence of hydrochloric acid.

Pepsin then actively breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. The activation of these enzymes is vital, as it ensures that nutrients are reduced to a form that can be absorbed and used by the body.
Bacterial Disinfection
The highly acidic environment in the stomach serves as a vital defense mechanism against pathogenic bacteria that enter the body through the consumption of food and water. Hydrochloric acid contributes to bacterial disinfection by creating an inhospitable environment for most bacteria, thus preventing infections and foodborne illnesses.

While some bacteria can endure acidic conditions, the combination of hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes typically neutralizes potential threats. This bacterial disinfection role is critical as it helps maintain a healthy balance of gut flora, which is essential for proper immune system function and overall health.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Calculate the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of each solution: (a) \(1.34 \times 10^{-3} \mathrm{M} \mathrm{HClO}_{4}\) (b) \(0.0211 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{NaOH}\) (c) \(0.0109 \mathrm{MHBr}\) (d) \(7.02 \times 10^{-5} \mathrm{M} \mathrm{Ba}(\mathrm{OH})_{2}\)

Calculate \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]\)for each solution. (a) \(\mathrm{pH}=1.82\) (b) \(\mathrm{pH}=13.28\) (c) \(\mathrm{pH}=8.29\) (d) \(\mathrm{pH}=2.32\)

Give a possible value of \(\left[\mathrm{OH}^{-}\right]\)and \(\left[\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}\right]\)in a solution that is: (a) acidic (b) basic (c) neutral

Calculate \(\left[\mathrm{H}_{3} \mathrm{O}^{+}\right]\)for each solution. (a) \(\mathrm{pH}=8.55\) (b) \(\mathrm{pH}=11.23\) (c) \(\mathrm{pH}=2.87\) (d) \(\mathrm{pH}=1.22\)

What is the \(\mathrm{pH}\) of a solution formed by mixing \(175.0 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(0.0880 \mathrm{M}\) HI with \(125.0 \mathrm{~mL}\) of \(0.0570 \mathrm{M} \mathrm{KOH}\) ?
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