Question

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is secreted by the gastric glands present in its wall.

 

The liver is the largest and major digestive gland of humans

Answer 1

Liver:

The liver is the largest and major digestive gland of humans

Liver, in humans, is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdomen.

This organ is dark reddish-brown in colour due to an extensive blood supply.

Some of the important functions of the liver are as follows:

It secretes bile that helps in digestion.

It filters the blood coming from the digestive tract before passing it to the rest of the body.

It detoxifies various metabolites and drugs

The liver makes proteins important for blood clotting and other functions.

It stores and releases glucose as needed.

It processes haemoglobin, from the dead and worn out RBCs, for the iron content (the liver stores iron).

Conversion of harmful ammonia to urea takes place in the liver.

 

Role of HCl:

Hydrochloric acid in the stomach is secreted by the gastric glands present in its wall.

pH of the gastric acid is usually between 1.5 to 3.5

This acid serves the following functions:

Converts inactive pepsinogen and pro-rennin into active pepsin and rennin respectively.

Provides acidic medium for protein digestion.

Kills bacteria entered through food and prevents infection.

Prevents putrefaction of food in the stomach.

A thick layer of mucus secreted by the mucous glands of the stomach prevent itself from the action of the gastric acid.

Excess acid damages gastric mucosa and causes gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Liver, in humans, is located in the upper right-hand portion of the abdomen.