Which enzyme digests fats?

Which enzyme digests fats?

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

Answer: (B)

Digesting fats relies on lipase, the enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Lipase acts in the small intestine, with pancreatic lipase being the primary enzyme for dietary fats, aided by bile salts that emulsify fats to increase the surface area for digestion. Amylase digests starches, protease digests proteins, and nuclease digests nucleic acids, so they don’t target fats. That makes lipase the correct choice because it specifically catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats.

Digesting fats relies on lipase, the enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Lipase acts in the small intestine, with pancreatic lipase being the primary enzyme for dietary fats, aided by bile salts that emulsify fats to increase the surface area for digestion. Amylase digests starches, protease digests proteins, and nuclease digests nucleic acids, so they don’t target fats. That makes lipase the correct choice because it specifically catalyzes the hydrolysis of fats.