Bile: Function (Edexcel IGCSE Biology: Double Science)

• Bile has two main roles:

  1. Neutralising the hydrochloric acid from the stomach
     • The alkaline properties of bile allow for this to occur
     • This neutralisation is essential as enzymes in the small intestine have a higher (more alkaline) optimum pH than those in the stomach

  2. Breaking apart large drops of fat into smaller ones (and so increasing their surface area)
     • This is known as emulsification

• The more alkaline conditions and larger surface area allows lipase to chemically break down the fat (lipids) molecules into glycerol and fatty acids at a faster rate

Bile salts break large lipid droplets into smaller ones with a larger surface area