Veterinary Technician Practice Exam

What substance produced by the liver aids in the digestion of fats?

1. Chyme

2. Bile

3. Gastric acid

4. Saliva

The correct answer is: Bile

Bile is the substance produced by the liver that plays a crucial role in the digestion of fats. It contains bile salts, which are essential for emulsifying lipids, breaking down large fat globules into smaller droplets, which increases the surface area for digestive enzymes to work on. This process is vital for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and nutrients in the intestine. Chyme refers to the semi-liquid mass of partly digested food that moves from the stomach into the small intestine, but it does not specifically aid in the digestion of fats. Gastric acid primarily helps in the digestion of proteins and creating an acidic environment in the stomach, and while it plays an important role in overall digestion, it does not contribute to fat digestion. Saliva aids in the initial stages of starch digestion in the mouth and does not directly facilitate fat digestion. Thus, bile is uniquely responsible for fat digestion among the options provided.