Question

Which of the given hormones stimulate the production of pancreatic juice and bicarbonate?
(a) Angiotensin and epinephrine
(b) Gastrin and insulin
(c) Cholecystokinin and secretin
(d) Insulin and glucagon

Answer 1

Pancreatic juice and bicarbonates among other substances are secreted by the pancreas to regulate the digestion of food in the body. Over or underproduction of the substances will lead to gastric problems. There are hormones present that specifically stimulate and regulate the production of these substances.

Complete step by step answer:
- The pancreas secretes digestive enzymes, fluid, water, and bicarbonate as a part of food digestion.
- Various enzymes are present in the pancreatic juice that contains trypsinogen, carboxypeptidase, chymotrypsinogen, elastase, nucleases, pancreatic lipase, and amylase.
- The secretion of pancreatic juice and bicarbonate is regulated by the hormones cholecystokinin (CCK) and secretin.
- CCK is secreted from special cells located in the upper part of the small intestine.
- Secretin regulates the pH of the duodenum by releasing bicarbonates from the pancreas and inhibiting gastric acid secretion from parietal cells of the stomach.
So, the correct answer is ‘Cholecystokinin and secretin’.

Additional Information:
- Angiotensin and norepinephrine are hormones that control blood pressure and regulate stress. Both have a role in promoting sodium retention by the kidneys.
- The gastric acid is secreted by the parietal cells that are stimulated by the hormone Gastrin of the stomach. Insulin regulates the level of blood glucose when it increases.
- Glucagon regulates the level of blood glucose when there is a decrease in glucose in the blood.
- The pancreatic secretions occur after consumption of food in four distinct but overlapping phases; the cephalic, gastric, intestinal, and absorbed nutrients.

Note:
- CCK also works on the gallbladder and stimulates the release of bile juice.
- Pancreatic juice is alkaline in nature due to the high concentration of bicarbonate which neutralizes the acidity.