Question

Which of the following is correct?
a) Paneth cells secrete pepsinogen.
b) Parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid.
c) Argentaffin cells secrete mucus.
d) Chief cells secrete gastrin.

Answer 1

All the cells in the body are modified to serve a certain function. Some of these cells are changed so that they become secretory cells. These cells are responsible for producing various substances.

Complete answer:
The cells in the body that produce or secrete certain enzymes or substances are known as secretory cells. These cells are essential to the functioning of the body.
All of the four options given show four different secretory cells in the body. However, of these, three of the options are incorrect while one of them is correct. The answer to this question is B, parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid.
Paneth cells are in the intestine and they secrete antimicrobial cells that are only secreted in the presence of bacteria. Argentaffin cells are present in the digestive system. These cells do not secrete mucus and are instead responsible for the production of serotonin. This helps the muscles in the body to contract in certain situations. Chief cells are extremely important cells that are present in the stomach. They produce gastric lipase and pepsinogen. Do note that gastric lipase is different from gastrin. Gastrin is secreted by certain cells that are secreted by G cells.
The parietal cells in the body are present in the stomach. These cells secrete hydrochloric acid. This keeps the stomach atmosphere acidic which is required to convert pepsinogen to pepsin.

Hence, the answer to this question is option b, parietal cells secrete hydrochloric acid.

Note:
The parietal cells are the ones that secrete hydrochloric acid and this keeps the stomach atmosphere acidic for the activation of pepsinogen.