The pH of the gastric juices released during digestion is

Options

A. less than 7
B. more than 7
C. equal to 7
D. equal to 0

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Gastric Juices**: Gastric juices are the digestive fluids produced in the stomach, primarily composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl) and digestive enzymes.

2. **Identifying the Acid**: The main acid present in gastric juices is hydrochloric acid, which is a strong acid.

3. **pH Scale Overview**: The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, where:
- A pH less than 7 indicates an acidic solution.
- A pH of 7 indicates a neutral solution.
- A pH greater than 7 indicates a basic (alkaline) solution.

4. **Determining the pH of Hydrochloric Acid**: The pH of dilute hydrochloric acid is approximately 1.4, which is significantly less than 7, confirming its acidic nature.

5. **Conclusion about Gastric Juices**: Since gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid, their pH is also less than 7, specifically around 1.4, which is conducive for digestion.

6. **Final Answer**: The pH of the gastric juices released during digestion is approximately 1.4.

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