Hydrochloric acid, or ______, is the main component of gastric acid, which is produced by the parietal cells of the stomach. It is released into the stomach to help keep the pH between 1 and 2 for digestion. A thick mucus layer buffers and protects the stomach tissue itself from the acidic environment.
a. KBr
b. KCl
c. Cul
d. NaCl
e. Cacl