When fatty acids are liberated by lipase, what happens to the pH?

When fatty acids are liberated by lipase, what happens to the pH?

• A. pH decreases
• B. pH increases
• C. pH stays the same
• D. pH becomes neutral

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that fatty acids released by lipase make the solution more acidic. Free fatty acids are acids that can donate hydrogen ions to the surrounding water. When triglycerides are hydrolyzed, free fatty acids enter the solution and release H+, increasing the hydrogen ion concentration and thus lowering the pH. In the digestive tract, buffering systems like bicarbonate can blunt the change, but the direct effect of adding fatty acids is a decrease in pH.

The main idea here is that fatty acids released by lipase make the solution more acidic. Free fatty acids are acids that can donate hydrogen ions to the surrounding water. When triglycerides are hydrolyzed, free fatty acids enter the solution and release H+, increasing the hydrogen ion concentration and thus lowering the pH. In the digestive tract, buffering systems like bicarbonate can blunt the change, but the direct effect of adding fatty acids is a decrease in pH.