The enzyme in the stomach that begins the chemical breakdown of fats is which?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Study for the SkillsUSA Basic Health Care Test. Prepare with comprehensive materials and multiple-choice questions featuring hints and thorough explanations. Surpass the test expectations with detailed insights!

Multiple Choice

The enzyme in the stomach that begins the chemical breakdown of fats is which?

Explanation:
Fats begin to be broken down in the stomach by gastric lipase, an enzyme designed to act in the acidic stomach environment. It hydrolyzes triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids, starting fat digestion. The other enzymes listed target different nutrients: amylase digests carbohydrates, pepsin digests proteins in the stomach, and trypsin digests proteins in the small intestine. Although most fat digestion continues later in the small intestine with pancreatic lipase after emulsification by bile, the first chemical step in the stomach is lipase.

Fats begin to be broken down in the stomach by gastric lipase, an enzyme designed to act in the acidic stomach environment. It hydrolyzes triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids, starting fat digestion. The other enzymes listed target different nutrients: amylase digests carbohydrates, pepsin digests proteins in the stomach, and trypsin digests proteins in the small intestine. Although most fat digestion continues later in the small intestine with pancreatic lipase after emulsification by bile, the first chemical step in the stomach is lipase.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy