ACE Health Coach Certification Practice Test

What causes the gallbladder to contract and release bile when fat is present in the small intestine?

1. a. gastrin

2. b. secretin

3. c. cholecystokinin

4. d. gastric inhibitory peptide

The correct answer is: c. cholecystokinin

The gallbladder contracts and releases bile primarily in response to a hormone called cholecystokinin (CCK). When fat enters the small intestine, it stimulates the release of CCK from the intestinal mucosa. This hormone plays a crucial role in the digestive process by signaling the gallbladder to contract and release stored bile into the small intestine. Bile is essential for the emulsification and digestion of fats, allowing for better absorption by the digestive system. Gastrin is associated with stimulating gastric acid secretion, which primarily occurs in the stomach, and secretin primarily regulates water homeostasis and bicarbonate secretion from the pancreas. Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) mainly impacts gastric motility and insulin secretion rather than directly influencing bile release. Thus, focusing on CCK highlights its specific role in coordinating the digestive processes related to fat absorption.