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Multiple Choice

Which enzyme hydrolyzes ester bonds in lipids?

Lipase is the enzyme that hydrolyzes ester bonds in lipids. Lipids like triglycerides are built from glycerol and fatty acids connected by ester linkages; lipases specifically target those ester bonds, cleaving them to release free fatty acids and glycerol. This is central to fat digestion and metabolism, as it enables the body to mobilize and use fatty acids for energy. Proteases break peptide bonds in proteins, glycosidases cleave glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates, and nucleases cleave phosphodiester bonds in nucleic acids.

Lipase is the enzyme that hydrolyzes ester bonds in lipids. Lipids like triglycerides are built from glycerol and fatty acids connected by ester linkages; lipases specifically target those ester bonds, cleaving them to release free fatty acids and glycerol. This is central to fat digestion and metabolism, as it enables the body to mobilize and use fatty acids for energy.

Proteases break peptide bonds in proteins, glycosidases cleave glycosidic bonds in carbohydrates, and nucleases cleave phosphodiester bonds in nucleic acids.