What exactly does "emulsification" mean?

[lacrossegirl420]

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If bile emulsifies lipids to make them into smaller pieces, isn't that technically still chemical digestion since bonds are being broken? Why is this specifically considered a form of physical digestion?

 

[ArteryStudyPainting]

Are bonds being broken? Ask that question.

 

[lacrossegirl420]

@ArteryStudyPainting : So if bonds aren't being broken, how do the lipids get smaller? Aren't the large lipids connected to each other via covalent bonds?

 

[ArteryStudyPainting]

I see what you're saying. But you are overthinking it for your purposes.

You aren't changing the material. You're incorporating it into smaller droplets by using droplets.

If the above doesn't help, if you take a piece of bread and rip it in half, is that physical, or chemical?