What is lipase?

What is lipase?

• A. An enzyme released from the pancreas that is important in the digestion of fat
• B. A hormone produced by the stomach to stimulate acid secretion
• C. A protein that inhibits fat digestion
• D. An enzyme from the liver that emulsifies fats

Answer: (A)

Lipase is the digestive enzyme that breaks down fats. It is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine, where it hydrolyzes dietary triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides so they can be absorbed. While some lipase activity occurs in the mouth and stomach, the primary fat-digesting enzyme in the intestinal lumen is pancreatic lipase, working alongside bile acids that emulsify fats to boost digestion. The other options describe a stomach hormone that stimulates acid secretion, an inhibitor of fat digestion, or an enzyme from the liver that emulsifies fats—none of which accurately define lipase.

Lipase is the digestive enzyme that breaks down fats. It is produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine, where it hydrolyzes dietary triglycerides into free fatty acids and monoglycerides so they can be absorbed. While some lipase activity occurs in the mouth and stomach, the primary fat-digesting enzyme in the intestinal lumen is pancreatic lipase, working alongside bile acids that emulsify fats to boost digestion. The other options describe a stomach hormone that stimulates acid secretion, an inhibitor of fat digestion, or an enzyme from the liver that emulsifies fats—none of which accurately define lipase.