AP BIOLOGY

ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY

DIGESTION IN HUMANS

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
Bicarbonate ions are produced in the
A
pancreas
B
liver
C
salivary glands
D
stomach
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -Pancreas secretes fluid rich in digestive enzymes and bicarbonate. The alkaline secretion is important in buffering of acid chyme entering duodenum and for activation of enzymes.

Detailed explanation-2: -The pancreas produces pancreatic juice, which contains digestive enzymes and bicarbonate ions, and delivers it to the duodenum.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pancreatic juice is composed of two secretory products critical to proper digestion: digestive enzymes and bicarbonate. The enzymes are synthesized and secreted from the exocrine acinar cells, whereas bicarbonate is secreted from the epithelial cells lining small pancreatic ducts.

Detailed explanation-4: -HCO3− in pancreatic juice neutralizes gastric acid, and provides an optimal pH environment for digestive enzymes to function in the duodenum (74). In addition, HCO3− acts as a moderate chaotropic ion that facilitates the solubilization of macromolecules, such as digestive enzymes and mucins (42).

There is 1 question to complete.