What do chief cells in the stomach produce?

Chief cells in the stomach are responsible for the production of pepsinogen, which is an inactive precursor of the enzyme pepsin. When pepsinogen is released into the gastric lumen, it is activated by the acidic environment created by hydrochloric acid (HCl) secreted by parietal cells. This activation process is crucial for protein digestion, as pepsin breaks down proteins into smaller peptides.

The role of chief cells is significant in the gastric environment as they contribute to the overall digestive process. Pepsinogen is essential for enabling the stomach to effectively digest protein-rich foods, thus facilitating nutrient absorption later in the digestive tract. Additionally, the interplay between chief cells producing pepsinogen and parietal cells producing HCl is vital for maintaining the acidic pH necessary for digestive enzyme function.

In contrast, serotonin is produced by enterochromaffin cells, mucus is secreted by mucus cells, and HCl is produced by parietal cells, each serving distinct functions in the gastric digestive process.