Final answer:
Bile functions to assist in the digestion and absorption of dietary lipids by emulsifying fats into smaller droplets and neutralizing stomach acidity in the small intestine, not by denaturing proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The function of bile is not to denature proteins but to assist in the digestion and absorption of dietary lipids (fats). Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, and it contains bile salts such as glycocholic acid and taurocholic acid, as well as other components like phospholipids. When released into the intestine after a meal, these bile salts act as emulsifying agents, breaking down large fat globules into smaller droplets. This action dramatically increases the surface area of fats, making them more accessible to digestive enzymes such as pancreatic lipase.
Moreover, bile helps to neutralize the acidity of food entering the small intestine from the stomach, creating a more suitable environment for enzymatic activity. Approximately 500 mL of bile is secreted daily, and its presence is essential for the efficient breakdown and absorption of dietary fats.