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gastric juice
gastric juice thin, strongly acidic ( p H varying from 1 to 3), almost colorless liquid secreted by the glands in the lining of the stomach. Its essential constituents are the digestive enzymes pepsin and rennin (see rennet ), hydrochloric acid, and mucus. Pepsin converts proteins into simpler, more easily absorbed substances; it is aided in this by hydrochloric acid, which provides the acid environment in which pepsin is most effective. Rennin aids the digestion of milk proteins. Mucus secreted by the gastric glands helps protect the stomach lining from the action of gastric juice. Gastric secretion is stimulated by a number of hormones and chemical substances, by the presence of food in the stomach, and by a number of psychological factors, such as the smell of a favorite food. A decrease or total absence of gastric juice secretion may be a congenital abnormality or a concomitant of advanced age. Certain cells of the stomach lining secrete a substance known as intrinsic factor, which is necessary for the absorption of vitamin B 12 ; absence of this substance results in pernicious anemia, or B 12 deficiency (see vitamin ). |
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"gastric juice." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gastric juice." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-gastricj.html "gastric juice." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-gastricj.html |
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gastric juice
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"gastric juice." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gastric juice." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-gastricjuice.html "gastric juice." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-gastricjuice.html |
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gastric juice
gas·tric juice • n. a thin, clear, virtually colorless acidic fluid secreted by the stomach glands and active in promoting digestion. |
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Cite this article
"gastric juice." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gastric juice." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gastricjuice.html "gastric juice." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gastricjuice.html |
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gastric juice
gastric juice An acidic mixture of inorganic salts, hydrochloric acid, mucus, and pepsinogens secreted by gastric glands in the stomach lining.
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Cite this article
"gastric juice." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 9 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gastric juice." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 9, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-gastricjuice.html "gastric juice." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved February 09, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-gastricjuice.html |
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