Which organ releases digestive enzymes such as amylase and lipase into the small intestine?

• A. Pancreas
• B. Liver
• C. Stomach
• D. Gallbladder

Answer: (A)

Amylase and lipase are released into the small intestine by the pancreas. The pancreas secretes an exocrine pancreatic juice rich in these enzymes, which travels through the pancreatic duct into the duodenum to help digest carbohydrates and fats, respectively. Amylase begins breaking down starches into smaller sugars, while lipase cleaves fats into fatty acids and monoglycerides. This pancreatic juice is released in response to hormonal signals: secretin stimulates a bicarbonate-rich fluid to neutralize stomach acid so the enzymes can work, and cholecystokinin stimulates the pancreas to release enzyme-rich juice. The liver and gallbladder don’t secrete these enzymes into the intestine (they contribute bile for fat emulsification), and the stomach mainly handles acid and pepsin rather than pancreatic enzymes.