Question

pH in the small intestine is __________

(a) 2

(b) 5

(c) 7

(d) 8

The question was asked during an interview.

Enquiry is from Anatomy and Physiology of G.I.T. in portion Gastroenterology of Clinical Science

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) 8

The explanation is: The digestive enzymes mostly work in the basic or mildly basic mediums. When the food reaches the stomach, the high pH content of the stomach destroys the microbes and any other harmful material in the food. Then the food moves down to the small intestine where the bile salts help neutralize the acidity of the food and then make them slightly basic to allow the intestinal enzymes to work on them.