Which term refers to the substance produced by the liver that aids in digestion?

The substance produced by the liver that aids in digestion is bile. Bile plays a crucial role in the digestive process, particularly in the emulsification and breakdown of fats. It contains bile salts, which are essential for breaking down dietary fats into smaller molecules that can be more easily absorbed in the intestines.

Bile is stored in the gallbladder and released into the small intestine when fatty foods are consumed, enhancing the digestion and absorption of fats. The production of bile is important for maintaining proper digestion and overall metabolic health.

In contrast, enzymes are proteins that catalyze biochemical reactions but are produced by various organs, including the pancreas and salivary glands. Hormones are chemical messengers produced by glands in the endocrine system and have various regulatory functions throughout the body, while peptides are short chains of amino acids that can also have a variety of functions, including roles in signaling and physiology. However, none of these options specifically refer to a substance produced by the liver that directly aids in digestion like bile does.