Which enzyme breaks fats into fatty acids?

Which enzyme breaks fats into fatty acids?

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

Answer: (A)

Enzymes are selective for their substrates, so breaking down fats relies on a lipase. Lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides, primarily in the small intestine with bile salts helping by emulsifying fat to increase surface area for the enzyme to work. The other enzymes target different foods: amylase acts on starches to produce sugars, protease digests proteins into amino acids, and maltase splits maltose into glucose. So lipase is the one that handles fats.

Enzymes are selective for their substrates, so breaking down fats relies on a lipase. Lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides, primarily in the small intestine with bile salts helping by emulsifying fat to increase surface area for the enzyme to work. The other enzymes target different foods: amylase acts on starches to produce sugars, protease digests proteins into amino acids, and maltase splits maltose into glucose. So lipase is the one that handles fats.