Describe the process of digestion of protein in the stomach.
The mucosa of the stomach has gastric glands that secrete mucus, proenzyme pepsinogen, HCl, and intrinsic factor. Intrinsic factor is essential for the absorption of vitamin B12. The food mixes thoroughly with acidic gastric juice of the stomach and called the chyme. The proenzyme pepsinogen on exposure to HC1 gets converted to active enzyme pepsin. Pepsin converts proteins into proteases and peptones. Renin found in the gastric juice of infants also helps in the digestion of milk protein.
