ANATOMY

GENERAL ANATOMY

DIGESTIVE SYSTEM

Question [CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
What enzyme is found in saliva that starts digesting carbohydrates?
A
amylase
B
chyme
C
pepsin
D
bile
Explanation: 

Detailed explanation-1: -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. A condition known as dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when you don’t have enough saliva in your mouth.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Role of the Amylase Enzyme The end goal of amylase is to break down carbohydrates into simple sugars that the body can use for energy, and this starts in the mouth. As food is chewed and mixed with saliva, amylase starts working to break down food into smaller molecules (1).

Detailed explanation-3: -They secrete saliva in the oral cavity which contains some enzymes like amylase, lysozyme, and lingual lipase. Amylase works on carbohydrates like starch and converts them into maltose.

Detailed explanation-4: -Saliva contains the enzyme, salivary amylase. This enzyme begins carbohydrate digestion by breaking some of the bonds between individual units of disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and starches. The salivary amylase breaks down amylose and amylopectin into smaller chains of glucose, called dextrins and maltose.

Detailed explanation-5: -Amylase is responsible for the breaking of the bonds in starches, polysaccharides, and complex carbohydrates into easier to absorb simple sugars. Salivary amylase is the first step in the chemical digestion of food.

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