Chapter 16: Problem 9

Explain how the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas contribute to digestion. (pp. 378, 381)

Short Answer

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Answer: The liver produces bile which helps break down fats, the gallbladder stores and releases bile into the small intestine, and the pancreas secretes digestive enzymes and neutralizes stomach acid to facilitate the digestion of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.

Step by step solution

1. Introduction to digestion

Digestion is the process through which the body breaks down food into essential nutrients that can be absorbed and utilized by the body's cells. The liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are three important organs that work together to facilitate the digestion process.

2. Role of the liver in digestion

The liver is the largest internal organ in the body and plays a critical role in digestion by producing bile, which helps break down fats in the food we consume. Bile is a greenish-yellow fluid that contains water, salts, and pigments, as well as cholesterol and lecithin to emulsify fats. The bile produced by the liver is stored in the gallbladder and is released into the small intestine when needed. The liver also metabolizes nutrients from the food we eat and converts them into energy or stores them for future use.

3. Role of the gallbladder in digestion

The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped organ located beneath the liver. Its main function is to store and concentrate bile produced by the liver. When fatty food enters the small intestine, the gallbladder releases bile into the digestive tract through the bile duct. Bile then helps break down fats into smaller droplets, increasing their surface area, which allows digestive enzymes to act more effectively on them. This process is known as emulsification.

4. Role of the pancreas in digestion

The pancreas is a large gland located behind the stomach and plays a crucial role in digestion by secreting pancreatic juice, which contains a mixture of digestive enzymes, like pancreatic amylase, trypsin, and lipase. Pancreatic juice is released into the small intestine through the pancreatic duct. Pancreatic amylase breaks down carbohydrates into simple sugars, trypsin digests proteins into amino acids, and lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. The pancreas also secretes bicarbonate ions into the small intestine, which helps to neutralize the acidic content of the partially-digested food coming from the stomach, ensuring optimal conditions for the digestion process to continue.

5. Conclusion

In summary, the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas are essential organs that contribute to the digestion process. The liver produces bile, which is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine to help break down fats. The pancreas secretes pancreatic juice containing digestive enzymes to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, as well as bicarbonate ions that neutralize stomach acid. Together, these organs work to break down food into essential nutrients that can be absorbed and used by the body.

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Explain how the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas contribute to digestion. (pp. 378, 381)

Short Answer

Step by step solution

1. Introduction to digestion

2. Role of the liver in digestion

3. Role of the gallbladder in digestion

4. Role of the pancreas in digestion

5. Conclusion

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