Question

Lipase is an enzyme that breaks down fats

into fatty acids and these fatty acids are
absorbed into the blood stream and act as a
source of energy for cells or are stored as fat.
Absorbed fatty acids support the energy needs
when glucose is unavailable as in the case of
diabetes.
​If lipase does not function complex fats
in foods are not broken down and absorbed.
It is this reason why diet pills can often target
this enzyme.
​A scientist was searching for a non-
toxic inhibitor of lipase and wanted to test the hypothesis that alginates (found in seaweed) inhibit lipase action. A co-worker alerted her to a diet pill that contain the chemical Orlistat that can also inhibit lipase but has side-effects associated with its use. To test the efficacy of the seaweed inhibitor she tested lipase activity as shown in the table below.

3a. For the reaction below label E, S and P components as explained in the question.

E+S <----> ES<---->E+P


3b. Identify the control group in the experiment.

3c. What is the scientists’ prediction from this experiment?

Answer 1

3a. As we know and also mention in the question that lipase is an enzyme that digested and break down the fats into fatty acid and it is also known that the action of an enzyme is as follows:

Enzyme + substrate <===> Enzyme-Substrate <====> Enzyme + Product

and here, E+S <----> ES<---->E+P

So, E is Lipase as the enzyme, S is fats, and P is fatty acids

3b. The control group is in this experiment or research is the group in which activity of the lipase is tested with the help of the chemical Orlistat, present in the diet pill as the control group is used to compare the or test the results of the independent variable's response.

3c. The scientist's prediction would be that in the control group fats will not be digested by the lipase into fatty acids and will not lead to any side effects.