What are the key digestive enzymes secreted by the exocrine pancreas?

The key digestive enzymes secreted by the exocrine pancreas are amylase, lipase, and trypsin. Amylase is responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates, facilitating the conversion of starches into simpler sugars. Lipase plays a crucial role in digesting fats by hydrolyzing triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol, which is essential for fat absorption in the intestine. Trypsin is a protease that assists in the digestion of proteins; it does this by cleaving peptide bonds, thus breaking down proteins into smaller peptides and amino acids.

These enzymes are secreted in an inactive form to prevent the pancreas from digesting itself and are activated in the intestinal lumen. This precise mechanism ensures effective digestion while protecting the pancreatic tissue. In contrast, the other options either include incorrect enzymes for pancreatic function or highlight enzymes that are not primarily produced by the pancreas, leading to their ineligibility as the correct answer.