What is the primary role of bile in digestion?

The primary role of bile in digestion is to emulsify fats for easier digestion. Bile, which is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, contains bile salts that break down large fat globules into smaller droplets. This process increases the surface area of fats, making them more accessible to digestive enzymes, particularly pancreatic lipase, which can then efficiently break down these fats into fatty acids and glycerol for absorption.

This emulsification is crucial for the digestion and absorption of dietary fats, which are otherwise difficult to digest due to their hydrophobic nature. Without bile, the digestion of fats would be significantly less effective, leading to poor nutrient absorption. Thus, the role of bile is fundamental in facilitating the digestion of lipids in the small intestine.