Question

The main function of bile is to:
A. Eliminate the waste products
B. Emulsify the fats
C. Digest proteins by enzymatic activity
D. Regulate the digestion process.

Answer 1

Hint: Bile is a yellowish alkaline fluid. It is secreted by the liver and stored in gallbladder.

Complete answer
A. Eliminate the waste products: waste products are eliminated by the process of excretion. Excretion is an important life process as it helps in removal of harmful toxic substances from the body.
B. Emulsify the fats:
(i) The bile juice is secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder bile juice helps in the emulsification of the fats.
(ii) Bile helps in breaking large fat globules into the smaller fat globules.
(iii) Bile juice also activates lipase.
(iv) It has no enzymes, and hence no chemical action on food. It contains water, mucin, lecithin, cholesterol, bile salts and bile pigments Biliverdin (green) and Bilirubin (yellow).
C. Digest proteins by enzymatic activity:
(i) Proteins are digested by enzyme pepsin.
(ii) Proenzyme pepsinogen on exposure of HQ gets converted into active pepsin. It is a proteolytic enzyme which converts proteins into proteoses and peptones.
D. Regulate the digestion process:
(i) The activities of gastro-intestinal tract are under neural and hormonal control for proper coordination of different parts.
(ii) Various gastric and intestinal secretions are also stimulated by neural signals.
(iii) Muscular activities of different parts of the alimentary canal can also be moderated by neural mechanisms.

The correct option is (B) Emulsify the fats.

Note:Bile helps in emulsification. It also helps in neutralization of HCl. It also helps in fat absorption. Bile also increases peristalsis of the intestinal wall.