A Drug That Blocks the Action of Carbonic Anhydrase in Parietal

Question

A drug that blocks the action of carbonic anhydrase in parietal cells would result in
A) a lower pH during gastric digestion.
B) a higher pH during gastric digestion.
C) decreased production of pepsinogen by chief cells.
D) increased protein digestion in the stomach.
E) decreased gastrin production.

Accepted Answer

Carbonic anhydrase is an enzyme that catalyzes the conversion of carbon dioxide and water into carbonic acid, which dissociates into hydrogen ions and bicarbonate ions. These hydrogen ions are then secreted into the gastric lumen in exchange for potassium ions, resulting in the production of hydrochloric acid (HCl) in parietal cells. Blocking the action of carbonic anhydrase would decrease the production of hydrogen ions and therefore decrease the production of HCl, resulting in a higher pH during gastric digestion.