Question

Bile is secreted by
A) Pancreas
B) Small intestine
C) Stomach
D) Liver

Answer 1

Hint: Bile is secreted by the largest gland of our body. It is also the second largest organ in our body. It is an accessory gland of Digestive system.

Complete Answer:
Bile is a dark green color fluid.It consists of 85% water, 10% bile salts and pigments and some amount of cholesterol. It is alkaline in nature as the pH is around 7.8-8.6. This fluid does not contain any enzyme.
The two hormones control the secretion of Bile. These are Secretin and Cholecystokinin. Secretin is released from Duodenum and acts on the liver and pancreas. Cholecystokinin is secreted by the small intestine and acts on Gallbladder. Both the hormones stimulate release of Bile

The functions of Bile are
1) Emulsification of lipids : this is the main function of Bile.
2) Bile emulsifies lipids. (Emulsion is a mixture of two or more immiscible liquids).
3) Emulsification breaks down the fat into small globules and thus the surface area increases. The small globules are then acted upon by lipase enzymes.
4) These are also responsible for transport and absorption of fat-soluble vitamins
5) Bile also brings about breakdown of cholesterol and thus its excess accumulation in the body is prevented.
6) Excretion of bilirubin and biliverdin (bile pigments) takes place through bile.

In the alimentary canal, the small intestine is the site of complete digestion. Lipases enzymes digest lipid molecules. This enzyme is released from the stomach, pancreas and small intestine.
However lipase can act only on small lipid molecules. Thus larger fal molecules are first broken down by Bile before lipase can act on it. For this Bile has to reach the small intestine. T reaches the small intestine through the ductal system. It is released along with pancreatic juice through hepatopancreatic duct.

Hepato means liver. Thus the organ that produces bile is Liver. Hence the answer is ‘D’.

The hepatocytes (liver cells) produce bile that is carried by hepatic duct (one for each lobe). The right and the left hepatic duct fuses to form a common hepatic duct. The Bile produced by the liver is very dilute and hence some amount of bile enters the gall bladder where the bile gets concentrated. The common hepatic duct and cystic duct of gallbladder finally join and form the common bile duct which then combines with the pancreatic duct to open into the duodenum.
(Gall bladder is situated posterior and inferior to the liver).

Note: Bile is concentrated five folds in a gallbladder. This is done by absorption of water. Bile is continuously produced in the body.
In absence of Bile, fats will not be digested and hence will be excreted in the faeces. The faeces will lose its brown color (as the color is due to bile pigments) and instead it will appear white. This will also result in deficiencies of fat soluble vitamins.
Absence of bile will also result in accumulation of cholesterol and this will cause formation of gallstones.