Physiology
Gastric
Relating to the stomach. Gastric juices contain hydrochloric acid and enzymes that break down food; gastric emptying controls how quickly food moves to the intestines.
Biological Context
The stomach's acidic environment (pH 1.5-3.5) kills pathogens and denatures proteins for digestion. Gastric ulcers occur when the protective mucus layer breaks down. Ghrelin, the hunger hormone, is primarily produced in gastric cells.
Business Application
Gastric functions are breaking-down processes: taking large inputs and reducing them to absorbable components. Organizations need gastric functions for information (analysis), acquisitions (integration), and resources (processing). Without proper 'digestion,' inputs provide no value.