Histamine from paracrine cells is responsible for stimulating which type of cells in the stomach?

Histamine plays a crucial role in the regulation of gastric acid secretion, and it primarily acts on parietal cells in the stomach. Parietal cells are responsible for the production of hydrochloric acid, which is essential for the digestion of food and the activation of digestive enzymes. Histamine, released by enterochromaffin-like (ECL) cells, binds to the H2 receptors on parietal cells, stimulating them to secrete more gastric acid.

This mechanism is significant because the increase in gastric acid is necessary for maintaining an optimal pH in the stomach, aiding in digestion, and creating an environment that prevents bacterial growth. Thus, the correct response highlights the direct role of histamine in facilitating the function of parietal cells in the stomach.