AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice breaks down the food and the digestive enzymes split up the proteins. The acidic gastric juice also kills bacteria.

Detailed explanation-2: -Enzymes from the salivary and the lingual glands digest carbohydrates and fats, enzymes from the stomach digest proteins, and enzymes from the exocrine glands of the pancreas digest carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, RNA, and DNA.

Detailed explanation-3: -Hydrochloric acid contributes to protein digestion by supplying H+ which activates pepsinogen, the precursor to pepsin. Pepsinogen is secreted by chief cells in the gastric glands of the body and antrum of the stomach.

Detailed explanation-4: -Hydrochloric acid makes the environment in the stomach acidic, kills the microbes in the stomach which enter with the food and provides a desired acidic medium so that the enzyme pepsin can act on the food. Was this answer helpful?