The enzyme which hydrolyses triglycerides to fatty acids and glycerol is called? (a) Pepsin (b) Zymase (c) Maltose (d) Lipase

Lipase plays a critical role in the digestion of fats. It is an enzyme that the body uses to break down fats in food so they can be absorbed in the intestines. Lipases are produced by the pancreas, the mouth (salivary glands), and the stomach.
Specifically, lipase targets triglycerides, which are the main form of fat in the human diet. These triglycerides are too large to be absorbed directly into the bloodstream. That's where lipase comes into action. Lipase catalyzes the hydrolysis of triglycerides, which means it helps add water to these molecules to break them down into smaller units: three molecules of fatty acids and one molecule of glycerol.
By converting triglycerides into these smaller components, lipase facilitates their absorption through the small intestine, allowing the body to utilize the resulting fatty acids and glycerol for energy or for building complex molecules such as phospholipids and hormones.

Understanding triglycerides breakdown is essential for comprehending how our body processes fat. Triglycerides are made of one glycerol molecule and three fatty acid chains. They are formed when the body has an excess of calories, which then get converted and stored as fat.
The process of triglycerides breakdown begins when the body needs to access stored energy or when dietary fats need to be digested. Lipases are the enzymes responsible for this breakdown during digestion. When triglycerides reach the small intestine, lipase enzymes from the pancreas are secreted into the duodenum, initiating the hydrolysis of triglycerides.
This hydrolysis reaction, facilitated by lipase, cleaves the fatty acid chains from the glycerol backbone, resulting in free fatty acids and glycerol. These molecules are then absorbed by the cells lining the intestine and eventually enter the bloodstream, making them available for use as energy by cells throughout the body or for re-synthesis into triglycerides for storage.

The National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) is a preeminent competitive examination in India for students who wish to pursue undergraduate medical courses. Biochemistry is a fundamental subject within NEET's syllabus, including the study of chemical processes within and related to living organisms.
For NEET aspirants, a deep understanding of enzymes such as lipases and metabolic processes like triglycerides breakdown is vital. Such biochemistry concepts are not only central to the curriculum but are also frequently tested in various forms, including multiple-choice questions. NEET emphasizes the application of these concepts in understanding human physiology and pathology.
The role of lipase in triglycerides breakdown, for example, helps students to understand metabolic disorders, nutrient absorption, and energy production. Clear and conceptual knowledge paves the way for medical students to comprehend how imbalances in such processes can lead to health issues like pancreatitis or metabolic syndrome, thereby integrating biochemistry knowledge with medical science.