Question

The __ do not contain a mechanism for neutralizing the acidic PH of the stomach

a) mucus cells of the stomach

b) epithelium of the duodenum

c) ductal cells of the pancreas

d) epithelium of the esophagus

Answer 1

Answer

Option D) Epithelium of the esophagus

• In stomach parietal cells secrete HCl to convert pepsinogen into pepsin.
• Pepsin works best in acidic conditions.
• But in order to prevents autodigestion, mucous cells in the stomach wall secrete mucus to coat the mucosal lining.
• When chyme enters dudodenum, it is highly acidic, to prevent autodigestion, duodonal cells also secrete mucus.
• Pancreas release bicarbonate to neutralize the acid in chyme.

But the food that enters esophagus is coated with saliva. Saliva is not too acidic nature.

Hence, there are no mucus cells or a mechanism for neutralizing the acidic PH in the epithelium of the esophagus.