Which of the following is mismatched regarding the cells of gastric glands and their functions?

Options

A. Mucus neck cells : Secrete mucus
B. Chief cells : Secrete proenzyme (pepsinogen)
C. Parietal cells : Secrete intrinsic factor for the absorption of vitamin `B_(12)`
D. Peptic cells : Secrete HCl

Answer

To determine which of the following is mismatched regarding the cells of gastric glands and their functions, we will analyze each cell type and its corresponding function:

1. **Mucous Neck Cells**:
- Function: These cells secrete mucus.
- Analysis: This statement is correct. Mucous neck cells are indeed responsible for secreting mucus, which helps protect the gastric lining from the acidic environment.

2. **Chief Cells**:
- Function: These cells secrete pepsinogen.
- Analysis: This statement is also correct. Chief cells, also known as peptic or zymogenic cells, secrete pepsinogen, which is an inactive precursor of the enzyme pepsin. Pepsinogen is activated by hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the stomach.

3. **Parietal Cells**:
- Function: These cells secrete intrinsic factor and HCl.
- Analysis: The statement regarding intrinsic factor is correct. Parietal cells secrete intrinsic factor, which is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12 in the intestine. However, they also secrete HCl, which is crucial for maintaining the acidic environment in the stomach.

4. **Peptic Cells**:
- Function: These cells secrete HCl.
- Analysis: This statement is incorrect. Peptic cells (chief cells) do not secrete HCl; instead, HCl is secreted by parietal cells. Therefore, this statement is mismatched.

Based on the analysis, the mismatched statement is:

**Answer**: Peptic cells secrete HCl (this is incorrect; HCl is secreted by parietal cells).