Question

What will happen if the secretion of parietal cells of gastric glands is blocked with an inhibitor?

• A. In the absence of $HCl$ secretion, inactive pepsinogen is not converted into the active enzyme pepsin
• B. Enterokinase will not be released from the duodenal mucosa and so trypsinogen is not converted to trypsin
• C. Gastric juice will be deficient in chymosin
• D. Gastric juice will be deficient in pepsinogen

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The parietal cells of gastric glands secrete $HCl$. Pepsinogen (proenzyme) is converted into pepsin enzyme (active form), in the presence of $HCl$. This enzyme acts on proteins in the stomach. Therefore, if the secretion of parietal cells is blocked, $HCl$ acid will not be secreted and thus inactive pepsinogen will not be converted into active pepsin. As a result, proteins will not be hydrolysed to proteoses and peptones.