Chapter 5 · Question 3
What is the function of bile juice?
Q3
What is the function of bile juice?
Answer Revealed
Direct Answer:
Bile juice emulsifies fats and creates an alkaline medium for the action of pancreatic enzymes.
Simple Explanation
Bile juice breaks large fat droplets into smaller ones and makes the intestine alkaline so enzymes can work better.
Exam-Ready Structure
Bile juice produced by the liver and stored in the gall bladder has two main functions: it emulsifies fats by breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets, thereby increasing the surface area for enzyme action; and it neutralises the acidic chyme coming from the stomach to create an alkaline medium necessary for the action of pancreatic enzymes.
Key Points
- Emulsifies fats into smaller droplets
- Provides alkaline medium for enzyme action
- Produced by liver, stored in gall bladder
Answer Sources
- Bile and fat digestiontextbook section | Science | Life Processes | Role of bile and pancreatic juice | Pages 8