Which enzyme initiates fat digestion in the small intestine?

Which enzyme initiates fat digestion in the small intestine?

• A. Amylase
• B. Pancreatic Lipase
• C. Lipoprotein Lipase
• D. Pepsin

Answer: (B)

Pancreatic lipase is the enzyme that begins fat digestion in the small intestine. After bile salts emulsify dietary fats, pancreatic lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids, producing molecules small enough to be absorbed by the intestinal lining. The other enzymes have different targets: amylase digests carbohydrates, pepsin digests proteins in the stomach, and lipoprotein lipase acts on triglycerides in circulating lipoproteins rather than initiating luminal fat digestion.

Pancreatic lipase is the enzyme that begins fat digestion in the small intestine. After bile salts emulsify dietary fats, pancreatic lipase hydrolyzes triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids, producing molecules small enough to be absorbed by the intestinal lining. The other enzymes have different targets: amylase digests carbohydrates, pepsin digests proteins in the stomach, and lipoprotein lipase acts on triglycerides in circulating lipoproteins rather than initiating luminal fat digestion.