Bile: Extended (CIE IGCSE Biology)

• Cells in the liver produce bile which is then stored in the gallbladder

Bile production and secretion

Bile has two main roles:

• It is alkaline to neutralise the hydrochloric acid which comes from the stomach
• The enzymes in the small intestine have a higher (more alkaline) optimum pH than those in the stomach
• It breaks down large drops of fat into smaller ones. This is known as emulsification. The larger surface area allows lipase to chemically break down the lipid into glycerol and fatty acids faster