What is the function of the bicarbonate secreted by the walls of duodenum
Answers
It helps in neutralising the acidity of food caused because of the secretion of HCl on food in stomach. Neutralising is necessary because the duodenal walls are sensitive to acids and cause excoriation(damage to the walls).
Function of bicarbonate secreted by walls of duodenum:
The function of the bicarbonate secreted by the walls of duodenum is to protect the intestinal mucosa from acid and also give alkaline medium for enzymatic activities.
Bile duct and pancreatic duct open jointly into organ called duodenum as common hepatio-pancreatic duct is protected by a sphincter called sphincter of odii. The acids secreted in stomach are slightly concentrated and this concentration of acid is intolerable by the mucosa layer of intestine. Thus bicarbonates provide protection from this.