Which pancreatic enzyme specifically digests fats?

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Prepare for the Leaving Certificate Digestion Test with engaging questions and explanations. Ready yourself with multiple choice quizzes, hints, and deep insights. Be exam-ready now!

Multiple Choice

Which pancreatic enzyme specifically digests fats?

Explanation:
Fats are broken down by lipases, with pancreatic lipase being the enzyme that specifically digests fats. Secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine, it hydrolyzes triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids. Emulsification by bile salts increases the surface area of fat droplets, allowing lipase to work more effectively, and colipase helps the enzyme bind to the fat–water interface. The resulting products are absorbed and reassembled into triglycerides for transport. In contrast, pancreatic amylase acts on carbohydrates like starch, pepsin digests proteins in the stomach, and proteases also target proteins, not fats.

Fats are broken down by lipases, with pancreatic lipase being the enzyme that specifically digests fats. Secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine, it hydrolyzes triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids. Emulsification by bile salts increases the surface area of fat droplets, allowing lipase to work more effectively, and colipase helps the enzyme bind to the fat–water interface. The resulting products are absorbed and reassembled into triglycerides for transport. In contrast, pancreatic amylase acts on carbohydrates like starch, pepsin digests proteins in the stomach, and proteases also target proteins, not fats.

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