Question

Which of the following are the correct functions of two components of pancreatic juice trypsin and lipase?

Options

• trypsin digests proteins and lipase carbohydrates

• trypsin digests emulsified fats and lipase proteins

• trypsin digests starch and lipase fats

• trypsin digests proteins and lipase emulsified fats

Answer 1

trypsin digests proteins and lipase emulsified fats

Explanation:

Both trypsin and lipase are powerful enzymes secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine, but they target entirely different nutrients:

• Trypsin: This enzyme specifically targets proteins. It takes partially digested protein chains and breaks them down further into smaller molecules called peptides.
• Lipase: This enzyme specifically targets fats. It cannot easily digest large fat molecules on its own, so it waits until bile from the liver breaks them into tiny droplets (emulsified fats). Lipase then breaks these emulsified fats down into fatty acids and glycerol.