Bile

Key Stage 4

Meaning

Bile is a green fluid produced by the liver that helps the digestion of lipids.

About Bile

Bile is alkaline which allows it to neutralise stomach acid to provide the optimum conditions for the enzyme lipase to digest lipids.

Bile is passed down the bile duct into the Small Intestine where it is used to emulsify lipids which increases their surface area making them easier to chemically digest.

References

AQA

Bile, page 101, GCSE Biology; Student Book, Collins, AQA

Bile, page 116, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Biology, CGP, AQA

Bile, page 122, GCSE Biology, CGP, AQA

Bile, page 27, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA

Bile, page 30, GCSE Biology; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA

Bile, pages 44, 46, GCSE Biology, Hodder, AQA

Bile, pages 45, 47, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA