What does lipase do?

Question

What does lipase do??  
A. It breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides.  
B. It breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.  
C. It breaks down carbohydrates into starch and sugar.  
D. It breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acids.

Accepted Answer

Correct Answer: (B)It breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.. 
Rationale: Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.Lipase is a digestive enzyme whose primary role is to chemically digest dietary fats (triglycerides) into smaller molecules that the body can absorb and use for energy, cell membrane formation, and hormone synthesis. It is mainly produced by the pancreas and released into the small intestine, where most fat digestion occurs.A) It breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotidesThis function is performed by nucleases, not lipase.Nucleic acids such as DNA and RNA are large molecules composed of nucleotide units. During digestion, specialized enzymes called nucleases cleave these molecules into individual nucleotides so they can be absorbed and reused by the body.Lipase has no activity on nucleic acids and does not participate in genetic material digestion. Therefore, this option is incorrect.B) It breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerolLipase specifically targets triglycerides, the main form of fat in food.A triglyceride molecule consists of:One glycerol backboneThree fatty acid chainsLipase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the bonds connecting fatty acids to glycerol, releasing free fatty acids and glycerol. These products are then absorbed through the intestinal lining and transported for:Energy productionStorage in adipose tissueConstruction of cell membranesSynthesis of steroid hormonesBecause this description matches lipase’s true biological role, this option is correct.C) It breaks down carbohydrates into starch and sugarCarbohydrate digestion is carried out by enzymes such as:Amylase (saliva and pancreas)Maltase, sucrase, and lactase (intestinal enzymes)These enzymes convert complex carbohydrates into simple sugars like glucose.Lipase does not interact with carbohydrates and cannot digest starch or sugars. Therefore, this option is incorrect.D) It breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acidsProtein digestion is performed by proteases such as:Pepsin (in the stomach)Trypsin and chymotrypsin (from the pancreas)These enzymes break peptide bonds between amino acids.Lipase does not act on proteins and cannot cleave peptide bonds. Its activity is limited to lipid molecules. Therefore, this option is incorrect.Conclusion:Lipase is a specialized digestive enzyme that acts on fats, breaking triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol so they can be absorbed and utilized by the body. It does not digest nucleic acids, carbohydrates, or proteins.Therefore, the correct answer is that lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycero

What does lipase do?

A
It breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides.

B
It breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

C
It breaks down carbohydrates into starch and sugar.

D
It breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acids.

Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

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What does lipase do?

A It breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides. B It breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol. C It breaks down carbohydrates into starch and sugar. D It breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acids.

Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

Topic Flashcards

Mini Quiz

Related Questions

A
It breaks down nucleic acids into nucleotides.

B
It breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.

C
It breaks down carbohydrates into starch and sugar.

D
It breaks down proteins into peptides and amino acids.