What is the role of lipase in the digestive system?

Lipase plays a crucial role in the digestive system by breaking down fats into simpler components, specifically glycerol and fatty acids. This process is essential because fats, which are too large to be absorbed by the intestines in their whole form, need to be digested into smaller molecules first. Lipase, which is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine, effectively catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides— the main constituents of body fat in humans and other animals— into free fatty acids and glycerol. This breakdown is vital for the absorption of dietary fats, which are not only a significant source of energy but also necessary for the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K).

The other options refer to different processes and do not align with the primary function of lipase. For example, the digestion of proteins into amino acids is primarily the function of proteases, while carbohydrates are broken down by enzymes known as carbohydrases. Вoth these enzymatic actions occur separately from the role of lipase.