Which term is an enzyme that breaks down fat?

Which term is an enzyme that breaks down fat?

• A. Amylase
• B. Lipase
• C. Protease
• D. Lipidase

Answer: (B)

Enzymes in digestion are specific for their substrates, so the enzyme that breaks down fats is lipase. Lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids, enabling fat absorption in the small intestine (with pancreatic lipase as the main source and bile salts helping by emulsifying fats to create more surface area). Other enzymes target other nutrients: amylase digests carbohydrates like starch, and protease digests proteins. Lipidase isn’t the standard term used for a digestive enzyme, so lipase is the correct name to describe fat digestion.

Enzymes in digestion are specific for their substrates, so the enzyme that breaks down fats is lipase. Lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids, enabling fat absorption in the small intestine (with pancreatic lipase as the main source and bile salts helping by emulsifying fats to create more surface area). Other enzymes target other nutrients: amylase digests carbohydrates like starch, and protease digests proteins. Lipidase isn’t the standard term used for a digestive enzyme, so lipase is the correct name to describe fat digestion.