SAFM Level 1 Certification Practice Test

Bile is synthesized in the liver, which plays a crucial role in digestion and metabolism. The liver's hepatocytes (liver cells) produce bile, a substance that helps emulsify fats, aiding in their absorption in the small intestine.

Once synthesized, bile is then stored in the gallbladder, from where it is released into the small intestine when needed, particularly after the ingestion of fatty foods. This process is essential for the digestion and absorption of lipids, ensuring that the body efficiently utilizes nutrients.

The pancreas, although it produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate for neutralizing stomach acid, is not responsible for bile synthesis. Similarly, the gallbladder does not produce bile but serves as a storage site, and the stomach primarily focuses on food digestion and does not synthesize bile. Therefore, the liver is the correct answer as the primary site of bile production.