Gastric juice doesn't have a single, specific scientific name. Instead, it's a collective term referring to the complex mixture of substances secreted by the stomach's glands.
Composition of Gastric Juice
Gastric juice is primarily composed of water, but also contains several crucial components for digestion:
- Hydrochloric acid (HCl): This strong acid plays a vital role in activating digestive enzymes and killing harmful bacteria ingested with food.
- Digestive enzymes: These enzymes, primarily pepsin, begin the breakdown of proteins.
- Mucus: This protective layer coats the stomach lining, preventing self-digestion by the hydrochloric acid.
These components work together to create an environment ideal for initiating the digestion process.
Understanding the Terminology
The term "gastric juice" is a descriptive name used in common medical and scientific literature, referring to the overall secretion of the stomach. There isn't a more formal or technical alternative that encompasses all its constituents. Instead, individual components like hydrochloric acid or pepsin have their own specific chemical names.
Reference: Gastric secretions, or gastric juices, are a mixture of mainly water, along with hydrochloric acid (HCl), digestive enzymes and mucus, which are produced by the secretory glands (Feher, 2017; Soybel, 2005). From: Food Hydrocolloids, 2021.
