Identify an enzyme that is useful for digestion of fat?

DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Biochemistry & Nutrition

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB - 28 August 2019 (Shift-1)

Explanation

Lipase is the primary enzyme responsible for the digestion of dietary fats (triglycerides).
It hydrolyzes triglycerides into absorbable components: free fatty acids and monoglycerides.
While small amounts of lipase are secreted by the tongue (lingual lipase) and stomach (gastric lipase), the vast majority of fat digestion is carried out by pancreatic lipase in the small intestine.
Bile, produced by the liver, emulsifies large fat globules into smaller droplets, increasing the surface area for lipase to act upon effectively.

Option A: Lysine is an essential amino acid, which is a fundamental building block of proteins in the body. It is not an enzyme and does not have a digestive function.
Option B: Amylase is an enzyme that specifically targets carbohydrates (starches and glycogen) and breaks them down into simpler sugars like maltose.
Option C: Pepsin is a proteolytic enzyme, meaning it breaks down proteins. It functions in the highly acidic environment of the stomach to begin protein digestion.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Digestion of fats and the role of specific digestive enzymes as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the function of lipase is critical for diagnosing and managing conditions affecting the pancreas, such as pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis. In these conditions, insufficient lipase secretion leads to fat malabsorption.
Fat malabsorption results in steatorrhea (fatty, foul-smelling stools), weight loss, and deficiencies of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K).
What if a patient has a blockage of the common bile duct? Even with normal lipase levels, fat digestion would be severely impaired because bile cannot reach the small intestine to emulsify fats, drastically reducing the efficiency of lipase.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key terms in the question: 'enzyme' and 'digestion of fat'.
Next, review the options provided and recall the primary function of each.
Analyze the function of Lipase. The prefix 'lip-' often relates to fats or lipids, providing a strong clue that Lipase is the enzyme for fat digestion.
Eliminate the other options based on their known functions: Amylase digests carbohydrates, Pepsin digests proteins, and Lysine is an amino acid, not an enzyme.
Use the provided image as a visual aid. It clearly shows that fats are digested by lipase in the small intestine, confirming your analysis.
Select the option that correctly matches the function described in the question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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