Inside the human stomach

Chapter 1

The physical blender

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Chapter 2

The chemical cauldron

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Chapter 3

The ultimate self-defense

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Chapter 4

The brain-gut hotline

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YOUR GOAL

Master of Inside the human stomach

Ch 2 · The chemical cauldron

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The Tummy Cauldron

teacher The Tummy Cauldron

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teacher The intrinsic factor that saves lives

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teacher The protein-chopping enzyme called pepsin

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teacher Liquid fire in your belly cavity

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teacher The daily chemical factory inside you

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teacher Melting steel in this cauldron, yeah! (But my mucus keeps me safe, oh-oh!)

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The intrinsic factor that saves lives

teacher The intrinsic factor that saves lives

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Fun Fact

Acid strength: Stomach acid is so strong that it can dissolve metal, including steel razor blades, within 24 hours of contact.

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The protein-chopping enzyme called pepsin

teacher The protein-chopping enzyme called pepsin

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Glossary

pepsin (noun)
An enzyme in the stomach that breaks down proteins into smaller peptides. In 1836, German physiologist Theodor Schwann discovered this substance, making it the first animal enzyme ever isolated.

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Quiz

What is the main biological purpose of the stomach's extreme acidity?

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Gossip

What is the weirdest thing you swallowed?

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Quiz

Which acid is primarily found in the human stomach?

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Gossip

Would you drink synthetic stomach acid?

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Quiz

How much gastric juice does an average human stomach produce daily?

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Quiz

Which critical substance does the stomach secrete to allow vitamin B12 absorption?

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Quiz

What is the typical pH range of human stomach acid?

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Quiz

Which cells in the stomach lining are responsible for releasing hydrochloric acid?

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Quiz

What is the inactive form of the protein-digesting enzyme pepsin?

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Quiz

Why doesn't the enzyme pepsin digest the cells that actually produce it?