Question

Which of the following gastric cells indirectly help in erythropoiesis?
A. Goblet cells
B. Chief cells
C. Parietal cells
D. Mucous cells

Answer 1

Hint: The cells are found in the middle part of the glands of the stomach's fundus-body area. Both hydrochloric acid (HCl) and intrinsic factor are produced by these fairly large cells.

Complete Answer:
- The gastric gland is situated in the lining of the stomach and is essential for the production of the major gastric juice components. The gastric glands are made up of four distinct kinds of cells: mucous cells, parietal cells, chief cells, and endocrine cells.

- Goblet cells are unicellular intraepithelial mucin-secreting glands dispersed within simple epithelia. Their name refers to their shape, with their narrow bases and broad apex, resembling a goblet. . They are involved in the secretion of mucous.

- The gastric chief cells are epithelial cells found in the gastric gland of the stomach lining. They are responsible for the production of pepsinogen and gastric lipase.

- Parietal cells are found mainly in the gastric glands' middle area. Parietal cells are involved in the secretion of HCl and intrinsic factor. The hydrochloric acid is responsible for high acidity of the contents in the stomach and is necessary to activate the enzyme that digests proteins, pepsin. Intrinsic factor is required for the absorption of vitamin B12, which is important for erythropoiesis. Parietal cell destruction contributes to the failure to consume vitamin B12 and, eventually, to anaemia.

- Gastric glands contain mucous cells in the portion of the stomach that secrete alkaline mucus which protects the epithelium from acid and shear stress.

Therefore, the correct answer is option C i.e., parietal cells.

Note: Endocrine cell contents are directly secreted into the bloodstream and do not form a part of the gastric juice. The endocrine cells secrete gastrin hormone that acts to regulate gastric activity.