“Gastric juice” is secreted by the glands present in which organ of the human body?

Gastric juice is a digestive fluid secreted by specialized glands located in the lining of the stomach. These glands are called gastric glands, and they play a crucial role in the digestion of food by breaking down complex substances into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body. The stomach, being a major organ of the digestive system, initiates the chemical breakdown of food before it passes into the small intestine.

Gastric juice is a mixture of several important components — hydrochloric acid (HCl), pepsinogen, and mucus.

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  Hydrochloric acid creates an acidic environment (with a pH of around 1.5 to 3.5), which helps in activating the enzyme pepsin and killing harmful bacteria that may enter with food.

  
  


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  Pepsinogen, when activated into pepsin by HCl, begins the digestion of proteins by breaking them into smaller peptides.

  
  


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  Mucus coats the inner lining of the stomach, preventing damage from the strong acid and enzymes.

  
  

The secretion of gastric juice is controlled by both nervous and hormonal mechanisms. The hormone gastrin, produced by the stomach’s G-cells, stimulates the gastric glands to secrete more juice when food enters the stomach. This ensures that digestion proceeds efficiently.

When the stomach is empty or overproduces acid, problems such as acidity, ulcers, or gastritis can occur due to the erosion of the protective mucous layer. Proper secretion and regulation of gastric juice are therefore vital for maintaining a healthy digestive system.

In summary, gastric juice is secreted by the glands of the stomach, and it is essential for digesting proteins, maintaining acidity, and defending the body from harmful microorganisms during the digestion process