MCAT Question A Day - 1/18/14 - Answer!

Chief cells in the stomach lining produce the inactive enzyme pepsinogen, which is activated to form pepsin by HCl produced by neighboring parietal cells. In which layer of the stomach are these cells located?

A. Mucosa

B. Submucosa

C. Muscularis externa

D. Serosa

The correct answer is (A). The mucosa is the innermost lining of the stomach. The chief and parietal cells release their secretions directly into the lumen of the stomach, where food is being processed.

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