Question

Besides the pancreatic lipase, there is a salivary lipase. This lipase is activated by the acid in stomach. Although it’s pH optimum is about pH 2, it does not contribute much to lipid digestion. Explain why this might be the case.

Answer 1

Ans:-

Concept :- For lipase to act on lipid , it's emulsification by bile salt is necessary.

Actually the lipid which is present in the diet is in form of a big macromolecules and are hydrophobic . As we know that lipase enzyme is hydrophilic so it is not able to penetrate the big lipid molecule , so in stomach salivary lipase is only able to act on the surface of lipid , so very less digestion in stomach.

But in intestine this big lipid molecule is emulsified by bile salt into small molecules which increases the surface area for lipid on which intestinal lipase act. So in intestine there effective digestion of lipid.

And in stomach due to absence of bile salt digestion is ineffective.