Final answer:
Bile is stored and concentrated in the gallbladder, which releases it into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of lipids.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bile is a digestive fluid produced by the liver. It is stored and concentrated in a small, sac-like organ known as the gallbladder. The gallbladder is located just under the liver and is connected to the small intestine by the cystic duct. When it is time for digestion, particularly after a meal rich in fats, the gallbladder releases the concentrated bile into the small intestine to help in the digestion of lipids and to neutralize acids from the stomach.
Bile salts and phospholipids within the bile function to emulsify large lipid globules into tiny droplets, which is essential for lipid digestion and absorption. The gallbladder responds to hormonal signals triggered by the presence of fats in the duodenum and contracts to push bile into the small intestine where it aids in the digestion process.