Master Stomach Digestion with Picmonic for Nursing RN

The stomach is a muscular digestive system organ that is the first main site of digestion. The first main type of cells are chief cells, which secrete a zymogen (inactive enzyme) called pepsinogen. Pepsinogen is activated by hydrogen ions into pepsin, which then partially digests proteins. This happens by breaking the protein down into smaller peptide chains.Another important type of cell found in the stomach are mucous cells, which secrete mucus to help coat and protect the stomach muscles from the harsh, acidic, proteolytic environment created inside of the stomach. They also secrete bicarbonate ions to help neutralize remaining acid after food has moved on to the small intestine.G cells secrete gastrin, which stimulates hydrochloric acid release from parietal cells and causes the stomach to mix its contents. This HCl is the source of hydrogen ions for pepsinogen activation, which also helps denature proteins and kill bacteria. Finally, the parietal cells secrete intrinsic factor, which is needed for vitamin B12 absorption.