Gastric juice is the most acidic fluid in the body. Why is gastric juice so acidic?
A) to convert inactive proteins to active ones
B) to kill bacteria
C) to denature proteins
D) to break down food
E) All of the above

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Gastric juice is highly acidic (pH around 1-2) to perform multiple functions such as breaking down food, denaturing proteins, and killing bacteria. The acidity of gastric juice converts inactive pepsinogen to active pepsin, which further helps in protein digestion. The low pH also helps in killing ingested bacteria before they can cause any infection. The denaturation of proteins by gastric juice makes them more susceptible to digestion by proteolytic enzymes. Therefore, all of the above options are correct.

Gastric Juice Is the Most Acidic Fluid in the Body