The Physiology of Gastric Acid Secretion

Abstract

THE mammalian stomach is a specialized organ of the digestive tract that serves to store and process food for absorption by the intestine.¹ One of its features, considered to be the hallmark of gastric function, is the ability to secrete acid; however, the precise function of gastric acid is not completely understood. As hydrogen ions are secreted and intragastric pH decreases to less than 3.5, the conversion of the zymogen pepsinogen to active proteolytic pepsin enzymes is facilitated. Although it is generally assumed that acid and pepsin are required for the hydrolysis of proteins and other foods, persons with achlorhydria . . .