2. STATION 12: The Stomach
• Partially digested food (bolus) enters the stomach from the
esophagus via muscular contractions called peristalsis.
• Hydrochloric acid (HCl) is produced in the stomach to help break
down proteins and kill bacteria that food may be contaminated
with.
• Glands within the stomach produce mucus to protect the
stomach from its own acid.
• Pepsin is an enzyme that the stomach produces and uses to further digest
proteins.
• The digested food is now a creamy paste called “chyme”.
• Sphincter muscles at both ends of the stomach control the flow of food
entering and leaving the stomach.
