In which organ do bile salts aid in digestion?

Bile salts play a crucial role in the digestion and absorption of fats, which primarily occurs in the small intestine. When food containing fats enters the small intestine, bile, produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, is released. Bile salts emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets. This increased surface area allows digestive enzymes, such as lipase, to more effectively break down the fat molecules into free fatty acids and monoglycerides, facilitating their absorption through the intestinal lining.

The small intestine is specifically designed for the majority of nutrient absorption, including the absorption of these fat breakdown products. This process is essential not just for fat digestion, but also for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K), which rely on the presence of bile salts for efficient uptake.