What would happen if your liver stopped producing sufficient quantities of bile salts?
A. You would develop gallstones
B.Your small intestine would have trouble breaking up fat globules.
C. Your small intestine would have trouble neutralizing acid from your stomach.
D. You would develop chronic heartburn.
I will gladly critique your thinking on this.
just think about what it does after it reaches the duodenum. the answer is its main function, shouldnt be to hard to find
what would happen if your stomach stopped producing bile?
To answer this question, we need to understand the role of bile salts and their functions in the body. Bile salts are produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. They play a vital role in the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.
When fat enters the small intestine, bile salts are released from the gallbladder and help break down the fat globules into smaller droplets through a process called emulsification. This allows for better access and breakdown of the fats by enzymes called lipases, making it easier for the body to absorb the fats.
Considering the options provided, let's evaluate each one:
A. You would develop gallstones: While bile salts are involved in maintaining the composition and natural balance of bile, they are not directly responsible for the formation of gallstones. Gallstones are typically made up of cholesterol or bilirubin and can form when there is an imbalance in bile components.
B. Your small intestine would have trouble breaking up fat globules: This option aligns with the main function of bile salts. Without sufficient quantities of bile salts, the small intestine would indeed have difficulty breaking up fat globules into smaller droplets, making it harder for fat digestion and absorption.
C. Your small intestine would have trouble neutralizing acid from your stomach: Bile salts are not involved in neutralizing acid from the stomach. This function is primarily performed by bicarbonate secreted by the pancreas into the duodenum.
D. You would develop chronic heartburn: Chronic heartburn is typically associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), where stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing irritation and discomfort. Bile salts are not directly involved in acid production or acid reflux, so this option is not correct.
Based on the explanation, the correct answer is B. Your small intestine would have trouble breaking up fat globules if your liver stopped producing sufficient quantities of bile salts.