When the digestion process begins, the activation of parietal cells in the gastric gland by the combined action of acetylcholine and histamine causes the secretion of hydrochloric acid.
It performs a number of functions, the most important of which is to activate pepsin, which aids in protein digestion in the stomach.
Because of the release of conc.
HCL in the stomach, its pH is extremely low-nearly 1.5 to 3.
This level of acidity also aids in the destruction of some harmful germs that are consumed with food.
Somatostatin, a hormone, regulates stomach acidity by suppressing the release of gastrin.
Role of HCl:-
Hydrochloric acid is necessary stomach acid.
It aids in the destruction of bacteria as well as other potentially harmful organisms.
It also serves as a food preservative.
To metabolize proteins in our stomach, HCl converts inactive pepsinogen into active pepsin.
Apart from mucus, HCl acts as another stomach cover to prevent pepsin from digesting the entire stomach.
Final Answer: In the stomach, hydrochloric acid is a necessary acid. It aids in the destruction of germs and other dangerous organisms.