What substance produced by cells in gastric pits protects the stomach from the low pH of stomach acid?

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Multiple Choice

What substance produced by cells in gastric pits protects the stomach from the low pH of stomach acid?

The protective shield in the stomach comes from mucus produced by the mucous-producing cells in the gastric pits. This mucus layer coats the stomach lining and contains bicarbonate, creating a neutralized microenvironment right at the surface. That barrier prevents the highly acidic gastric juice from damaging the stomach tissue, allowing digestion to proceed without self-destruction. Hydrochloric acid is the acid itself, produced by parietal cells, and pepsin is an enzyme from chief cells that digests proteins in the acidic meal—neither protects the stomach lining. Bile is made in the liver and functions in fat digestion in the small intestine, not in the stomach.

The protective shield in the stomach comes from mucus produced by the mucous-producing cells in the gastric pits. This mucus layer coats the stomach lining and contains bicarbonate, creating a neutralized microenvironment right at the surface. That barrier prevents the highly acidic gastric juice from damaging the stomach tissue, allowing digestion to proceed without self-destruction.

Hydrochloric acid is the acid itself, produced by parietal cells, and pepsin is an enzyme from chief cells that digests proteins in the acidic meal—neither protects the stomach lining. Bile is made in the liver and functions in fat digestion in the small intestine, not in the stomach.

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