As the sodium bicarbonate ions and mucous released from pancreatic juice neutalise the acidic food that come from stomach.

Removing sodium bicarbonate ions from pancreatic juice would result in damage to the cells lining the small intestine. This is because sodium bicarbonate plays a crucial role in neutralizing the acidic chyme that enters the small intestine from the stomach, creating an optimal pH environment for digestion and absorption of nutrients.

The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice, which contains enzymes such as pancreatic amylase, pancreatic lipase, and pancreatic proteases, as well as sodium bicarbonate. These enzymes are responsible for breaking down carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, respectively. Sodium bicarbonate, on the other hand, acts as a buffer to neutralize the acidic chyme.

When food enters the small intestine, it mixes with pancreatic juice, which helps to raise the pH of the chyme from the acidic range (pH 2-3) to a more alkaline range (pH 7-8). This increase in pH is essential for the proper function of pancreatic enzymes, as they work optimally at a neutral or slightly alkaline pH. If sodium bicarbonate ions are removed from pancreatic juice, the chyme entering the small intestine would remain acidic, which would impair the activity of pancreatic enzymes.

Impaired enzyme activity would lead to incomplete digestion of nutrients, as the enzymes would not be able to effectively break down carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins. This would result in larger nutrient molecules reaching the cells lining the small intestine for absorption. The cells of the small intestine are not adapted to absorb large molecules, and the presence of undigested nutrients can cause damage to these cells.

Furthermore, the acidic chyme can also directly damage the cells lining the small intestine. The cells are delicate and not adapted to withstand the acidic environment. Prolonged exposure to an acidic environment can lead to inflammation, erosion, and damage to the intestinal lining.

In summary, removing sodium bicarbonate ions from pancreatic juice would result in an acidic environment in the small intestine, impairing enzyme activity and causing damage to the cells lining the small intestine. This would interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients, leading to potential malnutrition and gastrointestinal complications.