Read the statements given below and choose the correct option :
Assertion (A) : Stomach produces hydrochloric acid that helps in breakdown of food.
Reason (R) : Digestive juices need an acidic medium to act.

The correct answer is: Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).

Step 1: Analyzing Assertion (A)
Assertion (A) states that the stomach produces hydrochloric acid (HCl) which helps in the breakdown of food. The inner lining of the human stomach secretes mucous, hydrochloric acid, and digestive juices. The hydrochloric acid creates an acidic environment in the stomach and helps break down food particles, while also killing harmful bacteria that enter with food. Therefore, Assertion (A) is true.

Step 2: Analyzing Reason (R)
Reason (R) states that digestive juices need an acidic medium to act. The main digestive enzyme in the stomach, pepsin, requires an acidic environment (pH around 1.5 to 2.0) to convert from its inactive form (pepsinogen) to its active form so it can digest proteins. Therefore, Reason (R) is true.

Step 3: Evaluating the relationship between (A) and (R)
The stomach specifically secretes hydrochloric acid to provide the necessary acidic medium required by protein-digesting enzymes (like pepsin) to act effectively on food. Thus, Reason (R) accurately explains why Assertion (A) occurs. Hence, (R) is the correct explanation of (A).