AAMC FL Practice Exam

Which enzyme is primarily responsible for fat digestion in the pancreas?

1. Amylase

2. Lipase

3. Trypsin

4. Chymotrypsin

The correct answer is: Lipase

The enzyme that is primarily responsible for fat digestion in the pancreas is lipase. Lipase specifically catalyzes the hydrolysis of dietary fats, breaking them down into glycerol and free fatty acids, which can then be easily absorbed by the intestines. It is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine, where it functions optimally in the presence of bile salts that emulsify fats, making them more accessible for enzymatic action. Amylase, on the other hand, is responsible for carbohydrate digestion. It breaks down starches into sugars. Trypsin and chymotrypsin are proteolytic enzymes that primarily digest proteins, breaking them down into peptides and amino acids. Therefore, among the listed options, lipase is uniquely suited to the digestion of fats.