Location in the digestive tract: mouth, pH: 6.8
Location in the digestive tract: stomach, pH: 2.0
Location in the digestive tract: duodenum, pH: 9.0
Based on this info, would a bolus of carbohydrate be acidic or basic? why?
To determine whether a bolus of carbohydrate would be acidic or basic based on the information provided, we need to understand the concept of pH and the locations in the digestive tract where the bolus travels.
pH is a measure of how acidic or basic a solution is on a scale of 0 to 14. A pH value of 7 is considered neutral, values below 7 are acidic, and values above 7 are basic or alkaline.
The mouth has a pH of 6.8, which is slightly acidic. The stomach has a pH of 2.0, which is highly acidic. The duodenum, which is the first part of the small intestine, has a pH of 9.0, making it alkaline or basic.
When a bolus of carbohydrate enters the mouth, it will mix with saliva, which helps in the initial stages of digestion. Since the pH of the mouth is slightly acidic (6.8), the bolus may retain its slightly acidic nature.
However, once the bolus moves from the mouth to the stomach, it encounters highly acidic gastric juices with a pH of 2.0. These gastric juices, primarily hydrochloric acid, help break down food further. As a result, the acidic environment of the stomach may further decrease the pH of the bolus, making it even more acidic.
After the stomach, the bolus enters the duodenum, where the pH is alkaline. The duodenum receives the secretion of alkaline fluids from the pancreas and bile from the liver. These fluids neutralize the acidic chyme (partially digested food) from the stomach, preparing it for further digestion and absorption in the small intestine. Therefore, in the duodenum, the bolus may become more basic or alkaline.
In conclusion, based on the journey of the bolus through the digestive tract, it is likely that a bolus of carbohydrate would initially be slightly acidic in the mouth, become more acidic in the stomach, and then become more basic or alkaline in the duodenum.