Which digestive juice is produced by the pancreas and what does it neutralize?

• A. Gastric juice; neutralizes basic chyme.
• B. Pancreatic juice containing bicarbonate; neutralizes acidic chyme entering the duodenum.
• C. Bile; neutralizes stomach acid.
• D. Salivary secretions; neutralizes chyme.

Answer: (B)

Pancreatic juice from the pancreas contains bicarbonate, which is used to neutralize the acidic chyme that comes from the stomach as it enters the duodenum. This neutralization raises the pH to a level where intestinal enzymes can work effectively, setting the stage for digestion to proceed smoothly. The other fluids have different roles: gastric juice is acidic and helps digest food in the stomach; bile emulsifies fats but doesn’t neutralize stomach acid; saliva helps begin digestion in the mouth and can buffer some acidity there but doesn’t neutralize chyme in the small intestine.