Under certain abnormal conditions, the stomach does not secrete hydrochloric acid. Identify three functions that hydrochloric acid has in the digestive process and describe how the failure to secrete hydrochloric acid will affect these processes.

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Honestley i have No clue!

Here is something I found on a google search. I searched for "hydrochloric acid in stomach". You can find other references there in addition to the one below. I hope this helps.
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Hydrochloric acid (HCl) converts pepsinogen to pepsin which breaks down proteins to peptides. HCl maintains a
It also dissolves food and kills microorganisms.

Failure to secrete hydrochloric acid in the stomach can lead to several negative effects on the digestive process. Here are three functions of hydrochloric acid and how the failure to secrete it can affect these processes:

1. Activation of digestive enzymes: Hydrochloric acid is responsible for converting the inactive enzyme pepsinogen into its active form called pepsin. Pepsin breaks down proteins in the stomach into smaller peptides. Without sufficient hydrochloric acid, pepsinogen cannot be converted to pepsin, leading to impaired protein digestion. This can result in difficulty breaking down proteins and extracting essential amino acids from food.

2. Protein digestion: As mentioned earlier, pepsin, activated by hydrochloric acid, plays a crucial role in breaking down proteins into peptides. Peptides are further broken down into individual amino acids by other enzymes in the small intestine. If hydrochloric acid is not secreted properly, the initial breakdown of proteins by pepsin is compromised, and this can impair overall protein digestion, reducing the availability of amino acids necessary for various bodily functions.

3. Regulation of stomach pH: Hydrochloric acid contributes to maintaining an acidic environment in the stomach, with a pH level between 1 and 3. This low pH is essential for effective digestion and serves to kill harmful microorganisms present in food. Without sufficient hydrochloric acid, the pH level in the stomach becomes less acidic, leading to an increase in pH. This can compromise the ability to kill bacteria and other pathogens that might have entered the body through food, putting the individual at a higher risk of developing gastrointestinal infections.

Therefore, the failure to secrete hydrochloric acid in the stomach can result in impaired activation of digestive enzymes, hindered protein digestion, and reduced protection against pathogens, all of which can have a negative impact on the overall digestive process.