ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mechanical digestion in the oral cavity consists of grinding of food into smaller pieces by the teeth, a process called mastication. Chemical digestion in the mouth is minor but consists of salivary amylase (ptyalin, or alpha-amylase) and lingual lipase, both contained in the saliva.

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.

Detailed explanation-3: -The digestive system includes the digestive tract and its accessory organs, which process food into molecules that can be absorbed and utilized by the cells of the body. Food is broken down, bit by bit, until the molecules are small enough to be absorbed and the waste products are eliminated.

Detailed explanation-4: -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-5: -The most abundant protein in human saliva is the digestive enzyme -amylase [8].