Pepsinogen is secreted by

Options

A. chief-cells
B. Oxyntic cells
C. mast cells
D. parietal cells

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Pepsinogen**: Pepsinogen is an inactive precursor of the enzyme pepsin, which is involved in the digestion of proteins in the stomach.

2. **Location of Secretion**: Pepsinogen is secreted in the stomach, specifically by cells located in the gastric glands.

3. **Identifying the Cells**: The gastric glands contain several types of cells, including:
- Chief cells
- Parietal (or auxintic) cells
- Mucous cells (goblet cells)
- Mast cells

4. **Function of Chief Cells**: Among these, the chief cells are specifically responsible for the secretion of pepsinogen.

5. **Role of Parietal Cells**: The parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl), which is essential for converting pepsinogen into its active form, pepsin.

6. **Eliminating Wrong Options**:
- Auxintic cells (another name for parietal cells) do not secrete pepsinogen; they secrete HCl.
- Mast cells are involved in immune responses and do not secrete pepsinogen.

7. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the correct answer to the question "Pepsinogen is secreted by" is **chief cells**.

**Final Answer**: Pepsinogen is secreted by **chief cells**.

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