Answer: The gastric juice is produced by several parts of the stomach, including:
Gastric glands: These are microscopic structures present in the stomach lining. Gastric glands contain specialized cells that secrete various components of gastric juice.
Parietal cells: Parietal cells are found in the gastric glands and are responsible for producing hydrochloric acid (HCl). HCl helps in the digestion of proteins and creates an acidic environment in the stomach.
Chief cells: Chief cells, also located in the gastric glands, produce pepsinogen. Pepsinogen is an inactive form of the enzyme pepsin, which helps break down proteins into smaller peptides.
Mucus cells: Mucus cells, also known as goblet cells, produce mucus that protects the stomach lining from the corrosive effects of the gastric juice and helps lubricate the food.
Explanation: These components work together to create the gastric juice, which plays a crucial role in the digestion of food in the stomach.