Where in the body does pancreatic lipase hydrolyze triglycerides?

Where in the body does pancreatic lipase hydrolyze triglycerides?

• A. Mouth
• B. Stomach
• C. Large intestine
• D. Small intestine

Answer: (D)

Pancreatic lipase works in the small intestine, where fat digestion actually takes place. After fat enters the duodenum, bile salts emulsify the droplets, increasing surface area, and pancreatic juice with lipase (along with colipase) acts in the lumen to hydrolyze triglycerides into monoacylglycerols and free fatty acids. The neutral to slightly basic pH of the small intestine is essential for optimal enzyme activity, and this is where the products are packaged into micelles for absorption by enterocytes. In the mouth and stomach, conditions aren't ideal for pancreatic lipase to function, and the large intestine doesn't play a role in lipid digestion.

Pancreatic lipase works in the small intestine, where fat digestion actually takes place. After fat enters the duodenum, bile salts emulsify the droplets, increasing surface area, and pancreatic juice with lipase (along with colipase) acts in the lumen to hydrolyze triglycerides into monoacylglycerols and free fatty acids. The neutral to slightly basic pH of the small intestine is essential for optimal enzyme activity, and this is where the products are packaged into micelles for absorption by enterocytes. In the mouth and stomach, conditions aren't ideal for pancreatic lipase to function, and the large intestine doesn't play a role in lipid digestion.