- In the small intestine, * chyme mixes with secretions from the pancreas and liver in the duodenum. * hydrolases break down food to monomers. - Pancreas, * pancreatic enzymes break down larger molecules into units that can be absorbed, such as monosaccharides, monoglycerides, fatty acids, amino acids, nucleotides, nucleotide bases. * bicarbonate from the pancreas buffers acids so enzymes can work. - Liver and gallbladder, * lipid (fat) digestion in the small intestine requires enzymes and bile, which is produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. - Bile A mixture of salts, pigments, cholesterol and lipids that emulsifies fats into small drops that enzymes can break down into fatty acids and monoglycerides