Solution

The enzymes in the intestinal juice (succus entericus) work on the end products formed when pancreatic juice reacts with proteins. The dipeptides generated are then acted on by dipeptidases in the succus entericus, which reduce them to simple absorbable amino acids. Mucus released by goblet cells, along with bicarbonates from the pancreas, creates an alkaline environment (7.8) in the small intestine for enzymatic activity and to protect the intestinal mucosa from acid.