What cells secrete pepsinogen?Group of answer choicesParietalChiefEnteroendocrinePaneth

Break Down the Problem

1. Identify the types of cells involved in secretion within the stomach.
2. Determine the specific function of each cell type related to digestion.

Relevant Concepts

• Pepsinogen is an inactive enzyme precursor that gets converted into pepsin, an active enzyme important for protein digestion.
• There are different types of gastric cells in the stomach lining, including:
  • Parietal cells: Secrete hydrochloric acid (HCl).
  • Chief cells: Secrete pepsinogen.
  • Enteroendocrine cells: Secrete various hormones.
  • Paneth cells: Primarily found in the intestines and secrete antimicrobial substances.

Analysis and Detail

• Evaluating which of these cells secrete pepsinogen leads to identifying the correct cell type.
• Chief cells are specifically responsible for producing and secreting pepsinogen, which is then activated by the acidic environment created by the HCl from parietal cells.

Verify and Summarize

• The role of each mentioned cell type has been assessed, confirming that only chief cells are responsible for pepsinogen secretion.

Final Answer

Chief cells are the cells that secrete pepsinogen.