What is the role of bile in digestion?

Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It emulsifies fats — breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets to increase surface area for lipase action. Bile does not contain digestive enzymes.

How are fats absorbed differently from carbohydrates?

Carbohydrates and proteins are absorbed into blood capillaries and travel via the hepatic portal vein to the liver. Fats are absorbed as chylomicrons into lacteals (lymph capillaries in villi) and enter the lymph, bypassing the liver initially.

What activates pepsinogen?

HCl (hydrochloric acid) secreted by parietal (oxyntic) cells of the stomach converts inactive pepsinogen into active pepsin. HCl also creates the acidic environment needed for pepsin activity (pH 1.8–2).

Process of Digestion

Digestion and Absorption • Class 11 Biology • NCERT • CBSE

Digestion converts food into absorbable molecules. Saliva contains salivary amylase (starch→maltose). Pepsin in stomach digests proteins. Small intestine: pancreatic enzymes and bile complete digestion. Absorption mainly in jejunum and ileum via villi.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the role of bile in digestion?: Bile is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. It emulsifies fats — breaking large fat globules into smaller droplets to increase surface area for lipase action. Bile does not contain digestive enzymes.
How are fats absorbed differently from carbohydrates?: Carbohydrates and proteins are absorbed into blood capillaries and travel via the hepatic portal vein to the liver. Fats are absorbed as chylomicrons into lacteals (lymph capillaries in villi) and enter the lymph, bypassing the liver initially.
What activates pepsinogen?: HCl (hydrochloric acid) secreted by parietal (oxyntic) cells of the stomach converts inactive pepsinogen into active pepsin. HCl also creates the acidic environment needed for pepsin activity (pH 1.8–2).

Study With GyanAI

GyanAI's AI tutor can answer any question about this topic instantly. Try GyanAI free for step-by-step NCERT solutions aligned with the CBSE curriculum.