Which organ is responsible for producing and secreting bile?

The liver is the organ that is primarily responsible for producing and secreting bile. Bile is a digestive fluid that contains bile salts, pigments, cholesterol, and electrolytes, and it plays a crucial role in the emulsification of fats, making it easier for enzymes to break them down during digestion. The liver synthesizes bile continuously, and it is then stored and concentrated in the gallbladder until it is needed for digestion, particularly after meals that contain fat.

The gallbladder, while important, does not produce bile; it merely stores and releases bile into the small intestine when needed. The pancreas produces digestive enzymes and bicarbonate to aid in digestion, but it does not produce bile. The stomach primarily functions to break down food and does not produce or secrete bile. Hence, the liver is identified as the correct answer for bile production and secretion.