What is the primary function of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas?

• A. To catalyze hormonal reactions
• B. To break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into absorbable nutrients
• C. To detoxify harmful substances
• D. To facilitate cell division

Answer: (B)

The primary function of digestive enzymes produced by the pancreas is to break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats into absorbable nutrients. These enzymes, including amylase, lipase, and proteases, play a crucial role in the digestive process by chemically modifying larger food molecules into smaller, more manageable compounds that the body can absorb.

Amylase begins the breakdown of carbohydrates into simple sugars, lipase targets fats and breaks them down into fatty acids and glycerol, while proteases work on proteins, breaking them into amino acids. This enzymatic action occurs in the small intestine, where the nutrients are then absorbed into the bloodstream and utilized by the body for energy, growth, and repair.

The other options do not accurately describe the primary role of pancreatic enzymes. The pancreas is involved in detoxifying harmful substances, but this is not a function of the digestive enzymes themselves. Additionally, these enzymes do not catalyze hormonal reactions or facilitate cell division, as their main focus is the digestion of food substances.