Question

Assertion (A): Hydrochloric acid helps in digestion of proteins.

Reason (R): Hydrochloric acid is present in gastric juice of mammals.

Options

• If both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

• If both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

• If A is true, but R is false.

• If both A and R are false.

Answer 1

If both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.

Explanation:

The assertion is true because hydrochloric acid (\(HCl\)) creates the highly acidic environment required to denature proteins and activate the enzyme pepsin. The reason is also true because mammalian gastric glands do secrete HCl as a primary component of gastric juice. However, the reason is not a correct explanation because simply stating where the acid is located does not explain how it chemically aids in breaking down proteins.