The stomach expands when food enters it, and its muscular walls aid in mixing the food thoroughly with digestive juices, facilitating the breakdown of food particles and the initiation of protein digestion.
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The stomach expands when food enters it, and its muscular walls aid in mixing the food thoroughly with digestive juices, facilitating the breakdown of food particles and the initiation of protein digestion.
The stomach contributes to the digestion process through mechanical and chemical means. Muscular contractions of the stomach wall, known as peristalsis, mechanically mix and churn food with gastric juices, forming a semi-liquid substance called chyme. Gastric glands in the stomach lining secrete gastric juice containing hydrochloric acid and digestive enzymes, including pepsin. Hydrochloric acid creates an acidic environment, aiding in the breakdown of proteins. Pepsin further digests proteins into smaller peptides. Additionally, the stomach serves as a temporary storage site, regulating the gradual release of chyme into the small intestine. Overall, the stomach plays a crucial role in initiating protein digestion and preparing food for further processing in the digestive system.