OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

What type of enzymes are responsible for breaking down lipids?

1. Carbohydrases

2. Proteases

3. Lipases

4. Nucleases

The correct answer is: Lipases

Lipases are the specific enzymes that break down lipids, which are fats and oils. They function by hydrolyzing the ester bonds found in triglycerides and other lipid molecules, resulting in the release of fatty acids and glycerol. This enzymatic action is crucial for digestion, as it allows lipids consumed in food to be transformed into smaller molecules that can be absorbed by the body. Each type of enzyme has a distinct function based on the type of biomolecule it targets. Carbohydrases are enzymes that break down carbohydrates into simple sugars, while proteases are responsible for the breakdown of proteins into amino acids. Nucleases, on the other hand, target nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, breaking them down into nucleotides. This specialization in enzyme function is essential for the efficient processing of different types of nutrients within the digestive system.