The gastric mucosa secretes the inactive enzyme pepsinogen and hydrochloric acid (HCl). In the presence of HCl, the active enzyme pepsin is produced. Pepsin digests proteins into shorter polypeptides. The high concentration of HCl from the parietal cells makes gastric juice very acidic, with a pH of less than 2.he gastric mucosa secretes the inactive enzyme pepsinogen and hydrochloric acid (HCl). In the presence of HCl, the active enzyme pepsin is produced. Pepsin digests proteins into shorter polypeptides. The high concentration of HCl from the parietal cells makes gastric juice very acidic, with a pH of less than 2.
Coral reef. Coral reef, ridge or hummock formed in shallow ocean areas by algae and the calcareous skeletons of certain coelenterates, of which coral polyps are the most important. A coral reef may grow into a permanent coral island.
Corals are found across the worldâs ocean, in both shallow and deep water, but reef-building corals are only found in shallow tropical and subtropical waters. This is because the algae found in their tissues need light for photosynthesis and they prefer water temperatures between 70-85Â°F (22-29Â°C). There are also deep-sea corals that thrive in cold, dark water at depths of up to 20,000 feet (6,000 m). Both stony corals and soft corals can be found in the deep sea.