What enzyme digests fats, and where is it produced?

• A. Amylase produced by the salivary glands
• B. Protease produced by the stomach
• C. Lipase produced by the pancreas
• D. Pancreatic lipase produced by the pancreas

Answer: (D)

Fats are digested by lipase, the enzyme that breaks down triglycerides into monoglycerides and free fatty acids. The primary fat-digesting enzyme in the digestive tract is pancreatic lipase, produced by the pancreas. It is secreted into pancreatic juice and released into the small intestine, where bile salts emulsify fats to increase surface area and allow pancreatic lipase to act efficiently. This is why pancreatic lipase produced by the pancreas is the best match. Other enzymes mentioned target different nutrients—amylase digests carbohydrates (salivary glands, and also pancreatic in the broad sense), while proteases digest proteins (stomach)—so they don’t fit the specific fat-digestion role.