Question

Pancreatic lipase acts upon
A. Glycogen
B. Triglycerides
C. Disaccharides
D. Polypeptides

Answer 1

Lipase is an enzyme that is used for the digestion of fatty acids and oils. The pancreas is an organ that produces pancreatic juice, that is, nothing but enzymes that are used for digestion of sugar, starch, fat, etc. It also helps in the formation of hormones.

Complete answer: Any substance that helps in either regulation or inhibition of a specific chemical reaction without getting used is known as enzymes. Enzymes are divided into six classes;
a) Oxidoreductase: It is used in oxidation and reduction reactions.
b) Transferase: It is used for transferring a group, e.g. methyl group.
c) Lyases: These enzymes cleave C- C, C- O, etc. bonds by elimination.
d) Isomerase: This enzyme changes the geometry of a molecule.
e) Ligase: These enzymes catalysis by joining two or more molecules.
f) Hydrolase: These enzymes perform hydrolytic cleavage of C- C, C- O, etc. bonds. All the reactions inside the human body are chemical reactions like digestion of food, breakdown of molecules, or even production of energy that require enzymes, hence are known as digestive enzymes. All the digestive enzymes belong to the hydrolase group of enzymes. The pancreas produces a lipase enzyme known as steapsin, which catalyzes the digestion of triglycerides or fatty acids. Triglycerides are made up of three glycerol molecules and 3 fatty acids.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: High level of triglycerides (i.e. above 500 mg/dL) in the pancreas can cause inflammation in the pancreas. This condition is called triglyceride induced pancreatitis which can further lead to permanent tissue damage. This may cause severe abdominal pain.