Lipase function statement: which is true?

Lipase function statement: which is true?

• A. Lipase digests fats and is produced by the pancreas
• B. Lipase digests carbohydrates in the mouth
• C. Lipase digests proteins in the stomach
• D. Lipase emulsifies fats in the liver

Answer: (A)

Fat digestion is carried out by lipase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides. The pancreatic form of lipase is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine, where fat digestion primarily occurs. Bile acids from the liver emulsify fats to increase the surface area for lipase to act, but emulsification is a separate process, not performed by lipase itself. While there are lipases in other parts of the GI tract (such as lingual lipase in the mouth and minor gastric lipase in the stomach), the main and biologically significant source of lipase for fat digestion is the pancreas. Carbohydrate digestion is handled by amylase, and protein digestion by proteases like pepsin, so statements claiming lipase digests carbohydrates or proteins are not accurate.

Fat digestion is carried out by lipase, an enzyme that hydrolyzes triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides. The pancreatic form of lipase is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine, where fat digestion primarily occurs. Bile acids from the liver emulsify fats to increase the surface area for lipase to act, but emulsification is a separate process, not performed by lipase itself. While there are lipases in other parts of the GI tract (such as lingual lipase in the mouth and minor gastric lipase in the stomach), the main and biologically significant source of lipase for fat digestion is the pancreas. Carbohydrate digestion is handled by amylase, and protein digestion by proteases like pepsin, so statements claiming lipase digests carbohydrates or proteins are not accurate.