Which enzymes break down lipids to produce fatty acids and glycerol?

Which enzymes break down lipids to produce fatty acids and glycerol?

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

Answer: (C)

Lipids are digested by lipases that hydrolyze the ester bonds in triglycerides, releasing fatty acids and glycerol. In the digestive system, pancreatic lipase in the small intestine acts on triglycerides, with bile salts helping by emulsifying fats to increase surface area. Amylase acts on carbohydrates like starch, protease cleaves proteins into amino acids, and nuclease breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides. Thus, the enzyme that produces fatty acids and glycerol from lipids is lipase.

Lipids are digested by lipases that hydrolyze the ester bonds in triglycerides, releasing fatty acids and glycerol. In the digestive system, pancreatic lipase in the small intestine acts on triglycerides, with bile salts helping by emulsifying fats to increase surface area. Amylase acts on carbohydrates like starch, protease cleaves proteins into amino acids, and nuclease breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides. Thus, the enzyme that produces fatty acids and glycerol from lipids is lipase.