ABSTRACT
Answer 1 Mucin-secreting gastric epithelial cells secrete a blanket of mucus which coats the sides of the gastric pits and accumulates thickly on the gastric surface, protecting it.
A buffer zone of (alkaline) bicarbonate accumulates between the mucous blanket and the epithelial cells. This is secreted by gastric epithelial cells, stimulated by prostaglandins generated by arachidonic acid breakdown via the cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzyme pathway (see Figure 2.4).
