Lipase is a digestive enzyme that digests fat droplets (droplets are fat already affected by an emulsifier). Lipase occurs in the alkaline conditions of the small intestine where NaHCO3 (weak base) is present. Given this information, indicate whether digestion would occur in the following test tubes (incubated at 37°C) and explain why or why not:
Tube 1: NaHCO3 - Water; fat droplets - Digestion would occur because lipase is present in an alkaline environment.
Tube 2: Water; fat droplets, lipase - Digestion would not occur because lipase requires an alkaline environment to function.
Tube 3: Water, fat droplets, lipase, NaHCO3 - Digestion would occur because lipase is present in an alkaline environment.
Tube 4: Water, lipase; NaHCO3 - Digestion would not occur because fat droplets are not present.
As the reaction described in question d proceeds, which converts fats into fatty acids and glycerol, the pH of the solution will decrease. This is because the reaction releases fatty acids, which are acidic in nature.