Bile juice is secreted by

hepatocytes

Bile juice is a digestive fluid that is produced and secreted by the liver, specifically by the hepatocytes (liver cells). These specialized cells play a key role in the digestion process by producing bile, which is essential for the digestion and absorption of fats in the small intestine.

Function of Hepatocytes:

Hepatocytes are responsible for the production of bile, which contains bile acids, cholesterol, phospholipids, and bilirubin. Bile is stored temporarily in the gallbladder before being released into the small intestine during the digestive process. The main purpose of bile is to emulsify fats, breaking them down into smaller droplets, which makes it easier for digestive enzymes to act on them and absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Other Options:

• Gall bladder: The gall bladder stores bile produced by the hepatocytes. However, it does not secrete bile; it only releases it when needed during digestion.
• Kupffer cells: Kupffer cells are macrophages located in the liver. They are involved in the immune response and are not responsible for bile secretion.
• Hepatic portal vein: The hepatic portal vein carries nutrient-rich blood from the digestive organs to the liver, but it is not involved in the secretion of bile juice.