📚 CBSE Grade-10 Study Guide Open in the Study Guide single page app →
Home › Science (AI practice)

Science — AI-generated practice question

AI-generated practice question — model-generated for extra practice, not a previous-year CBSE board question.

Q1. [2] straightforward initial-understanding
What is the function of hydrochloric acid in the stomach?
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 06:41 · grounding rag
Model Answer

Hydrochloric acid (HCl) secreted by the gastric glands in the stomach serves two main functions:

  1. It creates an acidic medium which is necessary for the activation and proper functioning of the protein-digesting enzyme pepsin.
  2. It kills harmful bacteria and pathogens that may enter the stomach along with food.

Source: Life Processes, Chapter 5, Section 5.2.4

---

Explanation

The passage explicitly states: "The hydrochloric acid creates an acidic medium which facilitates the action of the enzyme pepsin." The question in the passage also hints at another function — killing germs. Examiners expect both points for full 2 marks. Mention pepsin by name; that shows precise textbook knowledge. Do not confuse this with the role of mucus (which protects the stomach lining from the acid).

Previous-year CBSE Grade 10 board exam questions, organised by subject and chapter, each with a model answer — free to read and print.