Final answer:
A hormone-sensitive lipase is an enzyme regulated by hormones that mobilize stored fats in response to energy demands, exhibiting the connection between hormonal signals and metabolic processes.
Step-by-step explanation:
A hormone-sensitive lipase is an enzyme that helps to mobilize stored fats, or triglycerides, in adipose tissue in response to hormonal signals. This type of lipase is regulated by hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline, which signal the need for the mobilization of energy reserves, resulting in the breakdown of stored fats into free fatty acids and glycerol. The hormonal control allows the body to respond quickly to energy demands, such as during exercise or fasting.
Hormone-sensitive lipases are critical for metabolic regulation, demonstrating how the body's hormonal systems and enzymatic pathways are intricately connected to maintain energy balance. In biochemistry terms, they act as a bridge between the body's biochemical reactions and hormonal signaling pathways.