Which acid destroys the bacteria that enter the stomach? 

The correct answer is Hydrochloric acid.

Key Points

• Hydrochloric acid is the digestive fluid formed by the stomach during the process of digestion.
  • It functions by destroying harmful microorganisms present in the food particles.
• The digestive system of the human body comprises a group of organs that work together in converting food into energy and other basic nutrients to power the body.
• The stomach serves as a muscular bag that is situated towards the left side of the abdominal cavity, beneath the diaphragm.
  • This vital organ acts as a storage for the food and provides enough time to digest meals.
  • The stomach also produces digestive enzymes and hydrochloric acid that maintains the process of digestion.

Important Points

• Digestion and absorption are the two main functions of the digestive system.
  • Digestion is necessary for breaking down food particles into nutrients that are used by the body as an energy source, cell repair and growth.
  • Food and drink need to be converted into smaller molecules of nutrients before it is absorbed by the blood and carried to the cells throughout the body.
  • The body breaks the nutrients present in the drinks and food into carbohydrates, vitamins, fats and proteins.​

Additional InformationFormic acid

• Formic Acid is the common name of Methanoic Acid.
• Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid.
• Molecular Formula: HCOOH or CH2O2.
• Formic acid appears as a colourless liquid with a pungent odour.
• The word "formic" comes from the Latin word ‘formica’, meaning ant, referring to its early isolation by the distillation of ant bodies.
• In nature, formic acid is found in most ants and in stingless bees.

• Sulphuric acid is an oily liquid that is viscous in nature.
• Sulphuric acid is highly acidic.
• The chemical formula of this compound is H2SO4.
• it is used in the manufacture of batteries, detergents like trisodium phosphate, potato farming, printing ink, as a dehydrating agent, making paper, perfume, disinfectants, drugs etc.

• Nitric Acid is a strong acid with the chemical formula HNO3.
• It is also known as the spirit of niter and aqua fortis.
• In its pure form, it is colourless but as it gets older it turns into a yellow cast.
• This colour appears due to the decomposition of Nitric acid to oxides of nitrogen and water.
• It is highly corrosive and toxic.
• It causes severe skin burns.
• It can be manufactured by the catalytic oxidation of ammonia.
• It is a common reagent used in laboratories and an important chemical used in industries to manufacture explosives and fertilizers.
• The pH of Nitric acid is approximately 3.01.