At body temperature, which of these combinations is most likely to result in the digestion of fat?
A) bile salts, sodium bicarbonate, lipase
B) bile salts, sodium bicarbonate, pepsin
C) HCl, maltase
D) bile salts, HCl, sodium bicarbonate, and trypsin
E) sodium bicarbonate, lipase

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Bile salts emulsify fats, making them more accessible to the enzyme lipase, which breaks down triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Sodium bicarbonate raises the pH of the stomach contents to a more favorable pH for lipase activity. Pepsin is involved in protein digestion and is not relevant for fat digestion. HCl and maltase do not play a role in fat digestion. Choice D includes HCl which is not utilized in fat digestion. Choice E only includes sodium bicarbonate and lipase, but bile salts are necessary for efficiently breaking down fats.

At Body Temperature, Which of These Combinations Is Most Likely