Is stomach mechanical or chemical digestion?

The stomach uses both mechanical and chemical digestion.

Mechanical digestion in the stomach is accomplished through the muscular contractions of the stomach wall. These contractions churn the food, break it down into smaller pieces, and mix it with gastric juices.

Chemical digestion in the stomach is accomplished by the action of hydrochloric acid and pepsin. Hydrochloric acid creates an acidic environment in the stomach that helps to break down the food. Pepsin is an enzyme that breaks down proteins.

The stomach provides a highly acidic environment that denatures proteins and allows pepsin to begin the process of protein digestion.

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