Food being digested in the stomach is in a highly acidic environment. When the f
ID: 15350 • Letter: F
Question
Food being digested in the stomach is in a highly acidic environment. When the food is released from the stomach into the small intestine, why is the environment no longer acidic?a.Bile salts from the gallbladder neutralize the stomach acid.
b.Enterokinase activates trypsinogen, thus neutralizing the stomach acid.
c.Secretin increases the flow of bicarbonate ions from the pancreas into the small intestine to neutralize the stomach acid.
d.When pepsinogen activates pepsin, one result is the neutralization of stomach acid in the stomach.
Explanation / Answer
Answer: [C] Here's what happens: 1) The acid chyme product from the stomach enters the duodenum (first region of the small intestine). 2) This decrease in pH (more acidic) signals for secretin to be released from the duodenum walls. 3) Secretin then signals for bicarbonate release from pancreas into the duodenum. 4) The bicarbonate mixes and neutralizes the acid into a basic environment.