Which enzyme digests fat?

Which enzyme digests fat?

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

Answer: (C)

The key idea is that fats are digested by lipase, which hydrolyzes triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. In the digestive system, lipase primarily acts in the small intestine, where bile salts emulsify fat to increase surface area and allow the enzyme to access the fat molecules more effectively. Without lipase, fats would be digested very slowly or not at all. The other enzymes act on other foods: amylase breaks down carbohydrates like starch, protease breaks down proteins, and lactase breaks down the sugar lactose.

The key idea is that fats are digested by lipase, which hydrolyzes triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. In the digestive system, lipase primarily acts in the small intestine, where bile salts emulsify fat to increase surface area and allow the enzyme to access the fat molecules more effectively. Without lipase, fats would be digested very slowly or not at all. The other enzymes act on other foods: amylase breaks down carbohydrates like starch, protease breaks down proteins, and lactase breaks down the sugar lactose.