ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Chemical digestion in the mouth is minor but consists of salivary amylase (ptyalin, or alpha-amylase) and lingual lipase, both contained in the saliva. Salivary amylase is chemically identical to pancreatic amylase and digests starch into maltose and maltotriose, working at a pH optimum of 6.7 to 7.0.

Detailed explanation-2: -Saliva plays an important role in chemical digestion. As the teeth break food into smaller pieces, saliva mixes with the food. Chemicals called enzymes, found in saliva, break down food into smaller pieces. When you swallow, muscles in your throat move the food downward.

Detailed explanation-3: -Saliva contains special enzymes that help digest the starches in your food. An enzyme called amylase breaks down starches (complex carbohydrates) into sugars, which your body can more easily absorb. Saliva also contains an enzyme called lingual lipase, which breaks down fats.

Detailed explanation-4: -Chemical digestion breaks large food molecules down into their chemical building blocks, which can then be absorbed through the intestinal wall and into the general circulation. Intestinal brush border enzymes and pancreatic enzymes are responsible for the majority of chemical digestion.

Detailed explanation-5: -Some of the most common digestive enzymes are: Carbohydrase breaks down carbohydrates into sugars. Lipase breaks down fats into fatty acids. Protease breaks down protein into amino acids.