The most abundant bile acids in humans are cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid (Figure 19.23 ). They are usually conjugated in amide linkage with the amino acid glycine or taurine. The cholic acid conjugates with glycine and taurine are called glycocholate and taurocholate, respectively.

Bile salts play important roles in emulsification of fat in the digestion process (Figure 18.4).