lipase

Term: lipase

Literally meaning: “the enzyme that breaks down lipids”

Origin: Anc Greek

+ λίπος/λίπος(=fat, grease) >λίπος > verb λείβω/livo(=grease)

+(-άση)/(-asy)(=-ase) enzyme suffix added to the name of the substrate that the enzyme  hydrolyzes eg proteinase for protein or lipase for lipids

>διά-/dia-(=prefix denoting “through”, “apart” )

> δυο/dio(two) + στάσις/stasis(=halt) > ίστημι/histimi(=stand).

Coined/History 

In 1846 Claude Bernard demonstrated a lipase activity in the pancreas. The existence of lipases in plant seeds was noted by Munz MA (Ann Chem Liebigs 1871)

Definition

Lipase is the enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lipids (fats) such as pancreatic which facilitates the absorbion of fats by the intestines . Lipases are glycerol ester hydrolases that act on acylglycerols to liberate fatty acids and glycerol.