ICSE Class 9 Answered

Stomach secretes enzyme pepsin which digests proteins. It even absorbs alcohol, small amount of glucose and drugs. Stomach secretes HCl (pH 1.8) to activate pepsin. It also plays a major role by killing micro-organisms and germs we ingest through our food. Now, if stomach is absent, we would still have other parts of the digestive system to take over its role. In fact, most of the protein digestion is carried out by pancreatic and intestinal enzymes in the duodenum of small intestine. Fats and carbohydrate complete digestion takes place in the small intestine. So even without a stomach, a person can function just fine, eat food normally and wouldn't face major issues. Except that he becomes susceptible to diseases that a normal person can easily get away with.