lipases
Fat-digesting enzymes
Lipases are enzymes that break down fats into fatty acids and glycerol.
They occur throughout the body—in the pancreas, stomach, and intestines—where they enable digestion and absorption of dietary fats.
Lipase levels in blood are measured to diagnose pancreatic disorders: Her lipase was elevated, suggesting pancreatitis.
Industrial lipases are used in detergents, food processing, and biofuel production.
Acid-alcohol chemical linkage
- lipolysisMetabolic fat decomposition
- phospholipidsLipids with phosphate groups
- active siteEnzyme region binding substrates
Accelerating reactions without consumption
- kineticsScience of motion forces
- hydrolaseEnzyme cleaving via water
- esteraseEster-hydrolyzing enzyme
- zymogenInactive enzyme precursor
cofactor · inhibition · turnover · Michaelis-Menten · denaturation · proenzyme · activation · specificity
Three-chained fat molecules
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
- duodenumInitial small intestine
- fatty acidsOrganic molecules in fats
glycerol · absorption · emulsification · micelles · gallbladder · intestinal · gastrointestinal · malabsorption
Organic reaction accelerator
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
- detergentsSurfactant cleaning agents
food processing · dairy · bioreactor · recombinant · scale-up
Swollen digestive gland
- cystic fibrosisGenetic disorder thickening mucus
- hyperlipidemiaElevated blood fat levels
- obesity treatmentCare for excessive fatness
- CreonLegendary Theban king
ester bond
Acid-alcohol chemical linkage
- lipolysisMetabolic fat decomposition
- phospholipidsLipids with phosphate groups
- active siteEnzyme region binding substrates
catalysis
Accelerating reactions without consumption
zymogen · cofactor · inhibition · turnover · Michaelis-Menten · denaturation · proenzyme · activation · specificity
triglycerides
Three-chained fat molecules
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- bileLiver-made digestive fluid
- duodenumInitial small intestine
fatty acids · glycerol · absorption · emulsification · micelles · gallbladder · intestinal · gastrointestinal · malabsorption · exocrine
biocatalyst
Organic reaction accelerator
- fermentationMicrobial sugar conversion
- immobilizationPreventing movement entirely
- biodieselPlant-based motor fuel
detergents · food processing · dairy · bioreactor · recombinant · scale-up
pancreatitis
Swollen digestive gland
- cystic fibrosisGenetic disorder thickening mucus
- hyperlipidemiaElevated blood fat levels
- obesity treatmentCare for excessive fatness