Question

Emulsified fat is digested by
(a) lipase
(b) lipase and hydrolase
(c) bile salts
(d) bile pigments

Answer 1

Emulsification of fat is a process of breaking down large fat globules into very small particles so that it can mix with water. This lowers its surface energy and aids in its digestion. Fat is primarily digested by enzymes in the pancreas.

Complete step-by-step answer:
Emulsification of fats takes place in the liver by bile, while fat is majorly digested by lipases in the Pancreas. The major components of our food are carbohydrates, fats and proteins. All these along with nucleic acids comprise biomacromolecules. These molecules in food cannot be utilised by our body in their original form. They have to be broken down and converted into simple substances within the digestive system. This process of converting compound food substances into simple absorbable forms is called digestion.
The human digestive system consists of the alimentary canal (different organs) and the associated glands. The digestive glands associated with the alimentary canal predominantly include the salivary glands, the liver and the pancreas. Cells of the liver are called hepatocytes. They are responsible for the secretion of bile. Bile salts help in emulsification of fats, i.e., breaking down of the fats into very small micelles. Bile also activates lipases secreted by the pancreas.
Fats are broken down by lipases into di-and monoglycerides with the help of bile.
$Fats\quad \xrightarrow { (Lipases) } \quad Diglycerides\quad \longrightarrow \quad Monoglycerides$
Di and monoglycerides are further broken down into fatty acids and glycerol.
$\quad Di\quad and\quad Monoglycerides\xrightarrow { (Lipases) } \quad Fatty\quad acids\quad +\quad Glycerol$
Now, these fatty acids and glycerol being insoluble, cannot be absorbed into the blood. Initially, they are incorporated into small droplets called micelles.
So, the correct answer is lipases.

Note: -Hydrolases are all the enzymes that are capable of digesting carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids e.g., lipases, proteases, carbohydrases. If ‘lipase’ was not present in the options, the next best answer is ‘hydrolase’.
- Bile salts and bile pigments make up bile juice.
-Organelles within the cell called peroxisomes are responsible for the breakdown of excess fatty acids.