What cell type in the stomach is characterized by a large size and intensely acidophilic cytoplasm?

What cell type in the stomach is characterized by a large size and intensely acidophilic cytoplasm?

• A. Gastric mucous neck cell
• B. Chief cell
• C. Parietal cell
• D. Pleuritic cell

Answer: (C)

The cell type characterized by a large size and intensely acidophilic cytoplasm in the stomach is the parietal cell. Parietal cells are responsible for the secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl), which plays a crucial role in gastric digestion and creates an acidic environment in the stomach. Their cytoplasm is rich in mitochondria and other organelles that support their active role in acid production, contributing to the intensely acidophilic (eosinophilic) appearance when stained. This feature stems from the abundance of cellular machinery required for the active transport processes involved in acid secretion. In contrast, gastric mucous neck cells secrete mucus and are not characterized by a large size or acidophilic cytoplasm; instead, they have a more basophilic appearance due to their content. Chief cells, which secrete pepsinogen, also do not exhibit the same acidophilic staining as parietal cells; they typically have a basophilic cytoplasm due to their synthesis of proteins. The term 'pleuritic cell' does not correspond to any recognized gastric cell type and likely serves as a distractor in the question. Thus, parietal cells stand out due to their size and distinctive cytoplasmic staining characteristics associated

The cell type characterized by a large size and intensely acidophilic cytoplasm in the stomach is the parietal cell. Parietal cells are responsible for the secretion of hydrochloric acid (HCl), which plays a crucial role in gastric digestion and creates an acidic environment in the stomach. Their cytoplasm is rich in mitochondria and other organelles that support their active role in acid production, contributing to the intensely acidophilic (eosinophilic) appearance when stained. This feature stems from the abundance of cellular machinery required for the active transport processes involved in acid secretion.

In contrast, gastric mucous neck cells secrete mucus and are not characterized by a large size or acidophilic cytoplasm; instead, they have a more basophilic appearance due to their content. Chief cells, which secrete pepsinogen, also do not exhibit the same acidophilic staining as parietal cells; they typically have a basophilic cytoplasm due to their synthesis of proteins. The term 'pleuritic cell' does not correspond to any recognized gastric cell type and likely serves as a distractor in the question. Thus, parietal cells stand out due to their size and distinctive cytoplasmic staining characteristics associated