Main function of HCl of gastric juice is

Options

A.  Detoxification
B. Conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin
C. Emulsification of fatÂ
D. Hydrolysis of starch

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Gastric Juice Composition**: Gastric juice is a digestive fluid produced in the stomach, primarily composed of hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsinogen, and intrinsic factor.

2. **Identifying the Functions of HCl**: HCl has several roles in digestion:
- It creates an acidic environment in the stomach, which is necessary for the activation of digestive enzymes.
- It helps in the denaturation of proteins, making them easier to digest.
- It provides an antibacterial effect, killing harmful bacteria ingested with food.

3. **Focusing on Pepsinogen Activation**: The most critical function of HCl is to convert pepsinogen, an inactive enzyme secreted by gastric cells, into its active form, pepsin. Pepsin is essential for protein digestion.

4. **Eliminating Incorrect Options**:
- **Detoxification**: While HCl may have some role in detoxification, it is not its primary function.
- **Emulsification of Fat**: This process is primarily facilitated by bile, not HCl.
- **Hydrolysis of Starch**: Starch digestion is mainly carried out by salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase, not HCl.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the main function of HCl in gastric juice is the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin, which is crucial for protein digestion.

**Final Answer**: The main function of HCl of gastric juice is the conversion of pepsinogen to pepsin.

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