Final answer:
The hormone gastrin is released in response to food entering the stomach and stimulates the secretion of gastric acid, which aids in digestion. The correct option is c.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hormone that is released after the ingestion of a meal and triggers the stomach to release digestive juices is gastrin. When food is ingested and reaches the stomach, it stimulates certain cells in the stomach's lining to release gastrin into the bloodstream.
Gastrin then signals the parietal cells in the stomach lining to secrete gastric acid, which is necessary for the digestion of food. Gastrin's role is part of the gastric phase of digestion, which assists in processing ingested materials. The correct option is c.