Question 1: Define bile and describe its primary function in the digestive system.

Answer: Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver that emulsifies fats, breaking them into smaller droplets to facilitate digestion.

Question 2: Explain how bile aids in the digestion of lipids (fats).

Answer: Bile contains bile salts that emulsify fats, increasing their surface area for enzymes like lipase to act upon, thus speeding up fat digestion.

Question 3: Which organ produces bile, and where is it stored before release into the digestive system?

Answer: The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gall bladder until it is released into the small intestine.

Question 4: Identify the chemical components of bile that are involved in fat digestion.

Answer: Bile contains bile salts, which emulsify fats, and bilirubin, a waste product giving bile its colour.

Question 5: Describe one safety or practical consideration when studying bile in a laboratory setting.

Answer: Handling bile samples requires wearing gloves and eye protection due to their biological and chemical nature to prevent contamination or irritation.

Question 6: Calculate the amount of bile produced in a day if the liver secretes 0.5 litres per hour.

Answer: 12 litres. Calculation: 0.5 litres/hour × 24 hours = 12 litres

Question 7: A patient has a condition that reduces bile production by 50%. How much bile will they produce in 24 hours?

Answer: 6 litres. Calculation: 12 litres × 50% = 6 litres

Question 8: Propose an experiment to test the effect of bile on fat digestion in a laboratory setting. Identify the independent and dependent variables.

Answer: An experiment could involve adding bile to a fat sample and measuring the rate of emulsification or enzyme activity. The independent variable is the presence or absence of bile, and the dependent variable is the rate of fat breakdown or emulsification observed.

Question 9: In a scenario where bile salts are deficient, what impact would you expect on fat digestion? Provide a brief explanation.

Answer: Fat digestion would be less efficient because emulsification of fats would be reduced, decreasing the surface area for lipase enzymes to act upon.

Question 10: Explain how bile production can be affected by liver health and discuss one potential consequence for digestion.

Answer: Liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis can impair bile production, leading to insufficient emulsification of fats. This results in poorer fat digestion and absorption, potentially causing deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins and energy deficits.