Final answer:
The action of bile released by the gallbladder is to emulsify fats, making them easier to digest by increasing their surface area for enzyme action.
Step-by-step explanation:
The best explanation for the action of bile released by the gallbladder is the emulsification of fat. Bile is secreted into the duodenum, where it plays a critical role in the digestive process by breaking down large globules of lipids into smaller globules called micelles. This process greatly increases the surface area for enzymes like pancreatic lipase to act on, facilitating more efficient digestion and absorption of fats.
Bile salts, which are a component of bile, have both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends, making them effective at emulsifying fats. The gallbladder stores and concentrates bile, releasing it when fatty food enters the duodenum. This action reduces the acidity of food from the stomach and prepares fats for enzymatic digestion. The digestive function of bile is essential for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamin K, by transforming fats into a form that can be readily absorbed by the body.