Question

Discuss the role on digestion for the following cellular products: mucous, hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen, histamine, serotonin, gastrin, and somatostatin, intrinsic factor, ghrelin

a) Mucous: Lubrication and protection
b) Hydrochloric Acid: Activates pepsinogen, sterilizes, and breaks down food
c) Pepsinogen: Converted to pepsin for protein digestion
d) Histamine: Stimulates acid secretion
e) Serotonin: Modulates gastrointestinal motility
f) Gastrin: Stimulates gastric acid secretion
g) Somatostatin: Inhibits gastric acid secretion
h) Intrinsic Factor: Facilitates vitamin B12 absorption
i) Ghrelin: Stimulates hunger and gastric acid secretion

Answer 1

Mucous helps with lubrication and protection, while hydrochloric acid activates pepsinogen and breaks down food. Pepsinogen is converted to pepsin for protein digestion.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Mucous: Mucous in the digestive system plays a role in lubrication and protection. It helps to protect the lining of the digestive tract from the acidic environment and aids in the smooth passage of food.

b) Hydrochloric Acid: Hydrochloric acid, present in the stomach, serves multiple functions. It activates pepsinogen, an enzyme that helps break down proteins. It also sterilizes the ingested food, killing harmful bacteria. Additionally, hydrochloric acid aids in breaking down food particles into smaller, more digestible forms.

c) Pepsinogen: Pepsinogen is an inactive enzyme produced in the stomach. It is converted to its active form called pepsin with the help of hydrochloric acid. Pepsin is essential for the digestion of proteins in the stomach.