Which term describes the breakdown of fats within tissues?

Which term describes the breakdown of fats within tissues?

• A. Lipolysis
• B. Proteolysis
• C. Autolysis
• D. Putrefaction

Answer: (A)

Lipolysis is the breakdown of fats within tissues. In adipose tissue, triglycerides are hydrolyzed by lipases into glycerol and free fatty acids, a process stimulated during energy demand by hormones such as adrenaline and glucagon. This allows fatty acids to be released into the bloodstream and used for energy. Proteolysis refers to protein breakdown, autolysis is self-digestion of cells by their own enzymes (often after death), and putrefaction is microbial decomposition. So the fat-specific breakdown described here is lipolysis.

Lipolysis is the breakdown of fats within tissues. In adipose tissue, triglycerides are hydrolyzed by lipases into glycerol and free fatty acids, a process stimulated during energy demand by hormones such as adrenaline and glucagon. This allows fatty acids to be released into the bloodstream and used for energy. Proteolysis refers to protein breakdown, autolysis is self-digestion of cells by their own enzymes (often after death), and putrefaction is microbial decomposition. So the fat-specific breakdown described here is lipolysis.