Human physiology (nutrition): What is the principal physiological role of common salt (sodium chloride) in the diet related to digestion? Consider the function of chloride ions in gastric juice formation and normal digestive processes. Choose the correct option.
IIT JEE
Chemistry
Difficulty: Easy
Choose an option
-
AMake the taste of food better
-
BProduce, in small amounts, the hydrochloric acid required for digestion
-
CEase the process of cooking
-
DIncrease the solubility of food particles in water
Answer
Correct Answer: Produce, in small amounts, the hydrochloric acid required for digestion
Explanation
Given data
- Asked: the main physiological use of dietary salt in digestion.
Concept/ApproachDietary NaCl supplies chloride ions, which parietal cells use to form hydrochloric acid (HCl) in gastric juice. HCl activates pepsinogen to pepsin and maintains acidic pH for protein digestion.
Eliminate distractors• Taste/cooking/solubility are secondary or irrelevant to the physiological role in digestion.
Final AnswerProduce, in small amounts, the hydrochloric acid required for digestion