Which hormone is responsible for stimulating the pancreas to release bicarbonate during digestion?

The correct response is that secretin is the hormone responsible for stimulating the pancreas to release bicarbonate during digestion. Secretin is released by the cells in the small intestine when acidic chyme from the stomach enters the duodenum. One of its primary roles is to help neutralize the acidic environment created by the stomach's contents, facilitating the effectiveness of digestive enzymes that work best in a more alkaline environment. By promoting the secretion of bicarbonate, secretin ensures that the conditions for digestion are optimal, allowing for proper enzyme function and nutrient absorption.

Insulin, while crucial for glucose metabolism and regulating blood sugar levels, does not stimulate the pancreas to release bicarbonate. Gastrin primarily stimulates the secretion of gastric acid in the stomach, aiding in the digestion of food. Cholecystokinin (CCK) is involved in stimulating the release of digestive enzymes from the pancreas and bile from the gallbladder but does not play a direct role in bicarbonate secretion. Therefore, secretin is uniquely involved in this specific regulatory process during digestion.