Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'presence of food in the stomach.' Gastric secretions are stimulated when food enters the stomach, triggering nerve and hormonal responses. This process prepares the stomach for digestion. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ingesting water, swallowing reflex, and the closing of the pyloric sphincter do not directly stimulate the release of gastric secretions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: 20. There are 20 different amino acids that combine to form proteins in the human body. Each amino acid has a unique side chain that determines its properties. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect as they do not represent the total number of different amino acids found in human proteins.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: pancreas. Secretin stimulates the pancreas to release bicarbonate, which acts as a buffering solution to neutralize the acid entering the duodenum from the stomach. This process helps in maintaining the pH balance in the small intestine. Choice A, stomach, is incorrect as the stomach does not produce the buffering solution needed for the duodenum. Choice B, liver, is incorrect because secretin does not directly stimulate the liver to produce a buffering solution. Choice D, oxyntic cells, is also incorrect as these cells in the stomach are responsible for producing gastric acid, not the buffering solution needed in the duodenum.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: 'presence of food in the stomach.' Gastric secretions are stimulated when food enters the stomach, triggering nerve and hormonal responses. This process prepares the stomach for digestion. Choices A, B, and D are incorrect because ingesting water, swallowing reflex, and the closing of the pyloric sphincter do not directly stimulate the release of gastric secretions.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid in the stomach plays a crucial role in converting pepsinogen into its active form, pepsin, which is necessary for digesting proteins. Bile (Choice A) is involved in the emulsification of fats, not in the activation of pepsinogen. Gastrin (Choice B) is a hormone that stimulates the secretion of gastric acid but does not directly activate pepsinogen. Secretin (Choice C) is a hormone that regulates the pH of the duodenum but is not responsible for the activation of pepsinogen.