Which enzymes are primarily involved in digestion that are produced by the pancreas?

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Study for the UCF ZOO3733C Human Anatomy Test 4. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and get explanations for each question. Ace your exam!

The correct choice highlights the primary role of enzymes produced by the pancreas in the digestive process. Amylase and lipase are indeed significant enzymes secreted by the pancreas. Amylase is crucial for the breakdown of carbohydrates, converting starches into simpler sugars, while lipase is essential for the digestion of fats, breaking down triglycerides into free fatty acids and glycerol. These enzymes are released into the small intestine, where they act on food products to facilitate nutrient absorption.

The other choices include enzymes that are also important in digestion but serve different roles or originate from different organs. Pepsin, for instance, is produced in the stomach and is effective at digesting proteins in the acidic environment of the stomach, while trypsin, which is indeed produced by the pancreas, works primarily in the small intestine on proteins and peptides. Acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase are enzymes associated with various metabolic processes and do not play a direct role in the digestion of macronutrients. Chymotrypsin and carboxypeptidase are also pancreatic enzymes involved in protein digestion, but amylase and lipase represent the broader categories of carbohydrate and fat digestion, making the initial answer more comprehensive in terms of digestive enzymes produced by the