What substance does the gallbladder release when fatty food is consumed?

When fatty food is consumed, the gallbladder releases bile, which is a digestive fluid produced by the liver. Bile contains bile salts, cholesterol, and bilirubin, and its primary function is to emulsify fats, making them easier to digest and absorb in the small intestine. This emulsification action allows enzymes, such as lipase, to effectively break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol for absorption. The release of bile is triggered by hormones, particularly cholecystokinin (CCK), which is secreted in response to the presence of fats in the duodenum.

In contrast, cholesterol, insulin, and glucose do not directly relate to the gallbladder's function in fat digestion when fatty foods are consumed. Cholesterol is a component of bile but is not directly released by the gallbladder. Insulin is a hormone that helps regulate glucose levels in the blood and is not involved in the digestion of fats. Glucose is a simple sugar that results from the digestion of carbohydrates and is handled differently in the digestive process, primarily influenced by insulin, not bile. Thus, the presence of bile is crucial for effectively processing fatty foods in the digestive tract.