Bile salts aid in the digestion of fats by emulsifying large fat droplets.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Yes, the statement is correct. Bile salts aid in the digestion of fats by emulsifying large fat droplets.
Explanation:
Fats consumed in the diet are usually in the form of large fat droplets. These droplets are hydrophobic, meaning they do not mix well with water, which is the main component of digestive fluids. Because enzymes that break down fats, such as lipase, are water-soluble, they can only act on the surface of these fat droplets. If the fat remains in large droplets, the total surface area exposed to the enzymes is very small, slowing digestion.
Bile salts, which are produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, play a critical role in fat digestion by emulsifying these large fat droplets. Emulsification is the process of breaking down large fat globules into many tiny droplets. This increases the total surface area of the fat that is exposed to digestive enzymes.
Structurally, bile salts have both hydrophobic (water-repelling) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) regions. This amphipathic nature allows them to surround fat droplets. The hydrophobic side attaches to the fat, while the hydrophilic side faces the watery environment of the digestive tract. This arrangement stabilizes the fat droplets and prevents them from coalescing back into larger droplets.
Once fats are emulsified into smaller droplets, pancreatic lipase can efficiently break down triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides. These smaller molecules can then be absorbed by the cells lining the small intestine.
In summary, bile salts do not directly digest fats but facilitate digestion by emulsifying fat droplets, increasing the surface area for enzymatic action. This emulsification is essential for effective fat digestion and absorption in the digestive system.