Bile
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.2.7
Bile
Bile is an alkaline substance produced in the liver and stored in the gallbladder. Bile is important because:
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
- 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.
Test yourself on Bile
What would happen to fat digestion if bile did not emulsify fats into tiny droplets?
Which statement correctly matches a function of bile with the reason it helps digestion?
Why does breaking fat into tiny droplets help speed up fat digestion in the small intestine?