With reference to human body, which one of the following statements is correct?

Bile salts are steroidal compounds synthesized from cholesterol in the liver. Chemically, they consist of a steroid nucleus (four fused carbon rings) with a side chain, making them steroid derivatives. Regarding other options: Lipases are water-soluble enzymes that act at the oil-water interface of fat droplets [c2][t4]. Trypsin, a pancreatic protease, has an optimal pH range of 7.8 to 8.7, meaning it acts best in alkaline (basic) conditions, not acidic [t5][t6]. Pepsin is a gastric enzyme that requires a highly acidic environment (pH 1.5–2.5) for activation and function [c1][t1]. When pepsin enters the duodenum, the alkaline environment (pH above 6) provided by bicarbonate-rich pancreatic juice inactivates it, rather than enhancing its action [t1][t2]. Therefore, only the statement regarding bile salts being steroids is correct.

Sources

1. [1] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Activity 5.3 > p. 85
2. [2] Science , class X (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 5: Life Processes > Activity 5.3 > p. 86
3. [3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK537005/