Which enzymes are responsible for acting on food in the small intestine?

The pancreas plays a vital role in digestion within the small intestine by producing and releasing digestive enzymes such as amylases, proteases, and lipases. Amylases break down carbohydrates, proteases target proteins, and lipases are essential for fat digestion. Additionally, bile produced in the liver is critical for emulsifying fats, making them easier for lipases to work on. This combination of pancreatic enzymes and bile allows for the effective breakdown of various macronutrients, facilitating nutrient absorption.

The other choices do not accurately represent the primary enzymes acting on food in the small intestine. While salivary enzymes and gastric juices do begin the digestive process, they predominantly function in the mouth and stomach, not in the small intestine. Enzymes from the intestinal mucosa do contribute to digestion, but they work in conjunction with those from the pancreas and bile; thus, they are not solely responsible. Liver enzymes are generally involved in metabolic processes and detoxification rather than direct digestion in the small intestine, and renal secretions do not play a role in the digestion of food.