Steapsin is an enzyme that is involved in the digestion of fat. The spelling of this word can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA). The word is pronounced as /ˈstɛəpsɪn/ which means that the first syllable is pronounced "stair" and the second syllable is pronounced "sin". The "ea" in the first syllable is pronounced like the "e" in "bed". The "ps" in the middle of the word is silent. Overall, the spelling of "steapsin" follows traditional English spelling patterns.
Steapsin, also known as lipase, is a type of enzyme that plays a crucial role in fat digestion within the human body. It is primarily found within the pancreas and functions as a catalyst for the hydrolysis of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. Steapsin acts upon the ester bonds present in these complex fat molecules, breaking them down into smaller, more easily absorbed components.
This enzyme is secreted by the pancreas in response to the presence of fat in the small intestine. It is released into the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine, where it acts upon the dietary fats present in the chyme (partially digested food mixed with stomach acid). By breaking the triglycerides down, steapsin enables the absorption of fatty acids and glycerol into the bloodstream, where they can be transported and utilized by various cells for energy production or stored as body fat.
Steapsin is essential for maintaining healthy fat metabolism and overall digestion. Without sufficient steapsin activity, the body may struggle to adequately break down and absorb dietary fats, resulting in indigestion, malabsorption, and potential deficiencies in essential fatty acids and fat-soluble vitamins.
In summary, steapsin is an enzyme found in the pancreas that acts upon triglycerides, breaking them down into fatty acids and glycerol to facilitate fat digestion and absorption in the small intestine.
A steatolytic enzyme in the pancreatic juice, which converts the neutral fats into fatty acids and glycerin; lipase.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "Steapsin" is derived from the Greek words "stear" meaning "fat" and "pepsis" meaning "digestion". It was coined by combining these two words to represent an enzyme that plays a role in the digestion of fats.