1)The stomach is acidic in order to kill any bacteria that enter the stomach. The acid does not break down food, but contains an enzyme called protease, a form of pepsin, which breaks down proteins into polypeptide chains. No further digestion takes place in the stomach, as this takes place in the ileum, small intestine. The stomach has to maintain its acidity for the enzyme protease to function. The stomach acid is very acidic, but is also quite dilute, and the acid (Hydrochloric Acid) is fairly harmless in this diluted state.
2)The small intestine, like the stomach, has a thick covering of mucus released by the intestinal wall. In the duodenum, food is diluted with pancreatic enzymes and bile, which decrease stomach acidity.
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1)The stomach is acidic in order to kill any bacteria that enter the stomach. The acid does not break down food, but contains an enzyme called protease, a form of pepsin, which breaks down proteins into polypeptide chains. No further digestion takes place in the stomach, as this takes place in the ileum, small intestine. The stomach has to maintain its acidity for the enzyme protease to function. The stomach acid is very acidic, but is also quite dilute, and the acid (Hydrochloric Acid) is fairly harmless in this diluted state.
2)The small intestine, like the stomach, has a thick covering of mucus released by the intestinal wall. In the duodenum, food is diluted with pancreatic enzymes and bile, which decrease stomach acidity.
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