PhysioEx 8 Practice Test

What role do bile salts play in lipase action?

They act as a detergent to emulsify lipids, increasing surface area. They chemically hydrolyze triglycerides to free fatty acids. They selectively bind lipase to prevent action. They alter the pH to an optimal level.

Correct Answer:

They act as a detergent to emulsify lipids, increasing surface area.

Explanation:

Bile salts act as detergents that emulsify lipids, breaking large fat droplets into many small ones. This emulsification increases the surface area of the lipids available for pancreatic lipase to act on, which is essential for efficient hydrolysis of triglycerides into fatty acids and monoglycerides. The products are then carried in mixed micelles formed with bile salts, aiding their transport to the intestinal lining for absorption. This is why the action is about creating the right interface for lipase, not about directly hydrolyzing fats, binding lipase to prevent action, or changing the pH.

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