What are chief cells also known as?

Chief cells are also known as zymogenic cells because they are primarily responsible for the secretion of proenzymes, which are inactive forms of digestive enzymes. In the stomach, chief cells secrete pepsinogen, the precursor to the enzyme pepsin, which is crucial for the digestion of proteins. When pepsinogen is exposed to the acidic environment of the stomach, it is activated to pepsin.

The term "zymogenic" comes from their role in producing zymogens, which are inactive enzyme precursors. This function is essential for protecting the cells from the digestive enzymes that they produce. Thus, the naming reflects their biological function accurately, making it the correct identification for chief cells.