Chief cells are specialized cells found in the stomach lining, specifically in the gastric glands. Their primary function is to produce and secrete digestive enzymes, particularly pepsinogen, which is an inactive form of the enzyme pepsin. When pepsinogen comes into contact with stomach acid, it is converted into pepsin, an active enzyme that helps break down proteins in food. These cells play a crucial role in the digestive process, working alongside other cell types in the stomach, such as parietal cells, which secrete hydrochloric acid. The coordinated action of chief cells and parietal cells ensures that food is effectively digested, allowing nutrients to be absorbed in the intestines.