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Bile

Bile is an alkaline substance produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is important because:

Optimal enzyme conditions

Optimal enzyme conditions

  • Enzymes in the small intestine operate best in alkaline conditions.
  • Bile neutralises acid from the stomach to stop these enzymes becoming denatured (lose their activity).
Emulsification

Emulsification

  • Bile breaks up fats into tiny droplets, through a process called emulsification.
  • The tiny droplets have a higher surface area than the original fat drop.
  • This increases the rate of the lipase-catalysed reactions that break fats down.
Jump to other topics
1

The Nature & Variety of Living Organisms

2

Structure & Functions in Living Organisms

3

Organism Functions

3.1

Respiration

3.2

Gas Exchange

3.3

Transport

3.4

Excretion

3.5

Coordination & Response

4

Reproduction & Inheritance

5

Ecology

6

Biological Resources

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