Question

How are fats digested in the human body?

• A. Emulsification by bile and digestion by lipase
• B. Emulsification by lipase and digestion by bile
• C. Emulsification by HCl and digestion by bile
• D. Emulsification by HCl and digestion by lipase

Answer 1

The correct option is A Emulsification by bile and digestion by lipase

The bile released into the duodenum contains bile pigments (bilirubin and biliverdin), bile salts, cholesterol and phospholipids but no enzymes. Bile helps in emulsification of fats, i.e.,breaking down of the fats into very small micelles. Bile also activates lipases. Fats are broken down by lipases with the help of bile into di-and monoglycerides. The enzymes in the succus entericus (intestinal juice) act on the end products of the pancreatic reactions in intestines to form the respective simple absorbable forms. In case of fats lipase of succus entericus converts di and mono glycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. These final steps in digestion occur very close to the mucosal epithelial cells of the intestine.