Answer :
Final answer:
Bicarbonate from the pancreas neutralizes the acidic chyme in the small intestine, providing an optimal environment for enzyme activity. The hormone secretin stimulates the pancreas to secrete this bicarbonate-rich solution. This process is crucial for proper digestion following the highly acidic gastric juice from the stomach.
Explanation:
Neutralizing Acidic Chyme in the Small Intestine
When food leaves the stomach, it enters the small intestine as a mixture called chyme, which is highly acidic due to the presence of gastric juice. To protect the intestinal lining and to create an optimal environment for digestion, it is essential to neutralize this acidity.
The component responsible for this action is bicarbonate. Bicarbonate is secreted by the pancreas in a pancreatic juice that is rich in digestive enzymes and alkaline substances. This alkaline bicarbonate solution effectively buffers the acidic chyme, neutralizing its pH, which is critical for the subsequent actions of digestive enzymes in the small intestine.
Additionally, the release of bicarbonate is stimulated by a hormone called secretin. As chyme enters the duodenum, secretin signals the pancreas to release this alkaline bicarbonate solution, ensuring that the intestinal environment supports efficient digestion and absorption.
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