what is the role of hydrochloric acid in stomach?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Hydrochloric Acid**: Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is a strong acid present in the stomach. It plays a crucial role in digestion and protection.

2. **Killing Pathogens**: One of the primary roles of hydrochloric acid is to kill pathogens, which are disease-causing organisms like bacteria and viruses. The acidic environment created by HCl (with a pH of around 1.8) is hostile to these microorganisms, thus helping to prevent infections.

3. **Creating Acidic pH for Digestion**: Hydrochloric acid helps maintain an acidic pH in the stomach, which is essential for the proper functioning of digestive enzymes.

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