Oxyntic cells in stomach secrete

Options

A. Pepsin
B. Mucus
C. HCL
D. Rennin

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Stomach Structure**: The stomach is a crucial organ in the digestive system, responsible for breaking down food through mechanical and chemical processes.

2. **Identifying Cell Types in the Stomach**: The stomach contains various types of cells, each with specific functions. The main types of cells include:
- Goblet cells: Secrete mucus.
- Chief cells: Secrete pepsinogen, which is activated to pepsin for protein digestion.
- Oxyntic (or parietal) cells: Secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl).
- G cells: Secrete gastrin, a hormone that regulates gastric functions.

3. **Function of Oxyntic Cells**: Oxyntic cells, also known as parietal cells, are primarily responsible for the secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl). This acid is essential for:
- Maintaining the acidic pH of the stomach, which is necessary for the activation of digestive enzymes.
- Helping to kill harmful microbes that may enter the stomach with food.

4. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Pepsin**: Secreted by chief cells, not oxyntic cells.
- **Mucus**: Secreted by goblet cells, not oxyntic cells.
- **HCl**: Correct answer; this is secreted by oxyntic (parietal) cells.
- **Renin**: Not typically present in humans; primarily found in ruminants and not secreted by oxyntic cells.

5. **Conclusion**: The correct answer to the question "Oxyntic cells in the stomach secrete" is hydrochloric acid (HCl).

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