Final answer:
The pancreas neutralizes acidic chyme by secreting sodium bicarbonate, which buffers the chyme and facilitates optimal digestive enzyme function.
Step-by-step explanation:
The substance secreted by the pancreas to neutralize the strongly acidic chyme is sodium bicarbonate. It serves several functions, including buffering the acidic gastric juice in chyme, inactivating pepsin from the stomach, and creating an optimal environment for the activity of pH-sensitive digestive enzymes in the small intestine.
The substance secreted by the pancreas to neutralize the highly acidic chyme is sodium bicarbonate. The pancreatic juices contain high levels of bicarbonate, which acts as an alkali to neutralize the acidic chyme produced in the stomach. Additionally, the pancreatic juices also contain enzymes for the digestion of proteins and carbohydrates.