Which organ secretes lipase?

• A. Stomach
• B. Liver
• C. Pancreas
• D. Small intestine

Answer: (C)

Lipase breaks down fats by hydrolyzing triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides in the small intestine. The major source of lipase is the pancreas, which secretes pancreatic lipase into the duodenum as part of pancreatic juice. This enzyme works best in the alkaline environment provided by bicarbonate in the pancreatic juice and with bile salts that emulsify fats, increasing their surface area for digestion. The stomach does produce some gastric lipase, but its contribution to fat digestion in adults is minor. The liver makes bile but does not supply lipase. The small intestine has its own enzymes too, but the primary enzyme for dietary fat digestion is pancreatic lipase.