Describe the process by which lipids are 'broken down' by the digestive system, and how bile facilitates this process.

Lipids are broken down by lipases into glycerol and fatty acids.
Bile, made in the liver and stored in the gall bladder, facilitates this process by emulsifying fats into smaller droplets. This increases the amount of surface area available to lipases, consequently meaning that a larger number of lipid molecules can be broken down at one time by the lipases.In addition to this increase in available surface area, the alkaline conditions provided by the bile also speeds up the action of lipase.

PK
Answered by Poppy K. Biology tutor

4231 Views

See similar Biology GCSE tutors

Related Biology GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain the lock and key model of enzyme action, including how they are denatured. [6 marks]


Explain how desert plants have adapted to help them survive in extreme environments


What are the key differences between plant and animal cells?


what is the site of gas exchange in the lungs


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences