Question

Discuss the digestion and absorption of lipids including: lipase and phospholipase A

a) Lipase: Breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol, Phospholipase A: Converts phospholipids to amino acids
b) Lipase: Converts phospholipids to amino acids, Phospholipase A: Breaks down lipids into fatty acids and glycerol
c) Lipase: Breaks down carbohydrates, Phospholipase A: Converts lipids to amino acids
d) Lipase: Converts lipids to amino acids, Phospholipase A: Breaks down carbohydrates

Answer 1

Bile emulsifies lipids in the small intestine, allowing lipase to break them down into individual fatty acid molecules. Phospholipase A, B, C and cholesterol esterase are enzymes involved in lipid digestion. Pancreatic lipase is the main lipase responsible for breaking down triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides. The correct option is A.

Step-by-step explanation:

The digestion of lipids primarily occurs in the small intestine with the help of the pancreatic lipase enzyme from the pancreas and bile secreted by the liver. Bile emulsifies large lipid globules into smaller ones called micelles, providing a larger surface area for lipase to break down the lipids into individual fatty acid molecules.

Phospholipids are hydrolyzed by phospholipase A, B, C, while cholesterol is hydrolyzed by cholesterol esterase. The end products of lipid digestion are monoacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, triacylglycerols, free fatty acids, and glycerol.

The three lipases responsible for lipid digestion are lingual lipase, gastric lipase, and pancreatic lipase. However, the majority of lipid digestion occurs in the small intestine due to pancreatic lipase. Pancreatic lipase breaks down each triglyceride into two free fatty acids and a monoglyceride.