The enzyme that breaks down lipids is a______________.

The enzyme that breaks down lipids is a______________.

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

Answer: (D)

Lipase is the enzyme that breaks down lipids. Lipase specifically hydrolyzes triglycerides, the main form of dietary fats, into fatty acids and monoglycerides, primarily in the small intestine with help from bile salts that emulsify fats to increase the surface area for digestion. Pancreatic lipase is a key source that acts in the gut. For context, proteases digest proteins, amylases digest starches, and lactase digests lactose, so each enzyme targets a different type of substrate.

Lipase is the enzyme that breaks down lipids. Lipase specifically hydrolyzes triglycerides, the main form of dietary fats, into fatty acids and monoglycerides, primarily in the small intestine with help from bile salts that emulsify fats to increase the surface area for digestion. Pancreatic lipase is a key source that acts in the gut. For context, proteases digest proteins, amylases digest starches, and lactase digests lactose, so each enzyme targets a different type of substrate.