Question 10

Bile salts decrease the size of fat droplets to aid in digestion.

Bile salts play a crucial role in the digestion of fats by decreasing the size of fat droplets. This emulsification process increases the surface area for digestive enzymes to act upon, facilitating more efficient fat digestion.

A) Increase the size of starches to aid in digestion

This option is incorrect because bile salts do not interact with starches; instead, they specifically target fats. Increasing the size of starches would hinder digestion rather than aid it.

B) Decrease the size of starches to aid in digestion

While decreasing the size of food particles can aid digestion, this option is incorrect in the context of bile salts. Bile salts are not involved in the digestion of starches but focus on emulsifying fats.

C) Decrease the size of fat droplets to aid in digestion

This statement is correct as bile salts emulsify fats, breaking them into smaller droplets. This process enhances the effectiveness of lipases, the enzymes responsible for fat digestion, making it easier for the body to absorb nutrients.

D) Increase the size of fat droplets to aid in digestion

This option is incorrect because increasing the size of fat droplets would impede digestion rather than facilitate it. Bile salts are specifically designed to decrease fat droplet size for better enzymatic action.

Conclusion

The correct answer, C, accurately describes the function of bile salts in digestion by highlighting their role in emulsifying fats to enhance digestion. All other options fail to correctly address the role bile salts play, either mischaracterizing their function or incorrectly attributing their effects to starch digestion rather than fat digestion.