AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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-2: -Digestion and absorption of carbohydrates The digestion of starch begins with salivary amylase, but this activity is much less important than that of pancreatic amylase in the small intestine.

Detailed explanation-3: -Digestion of starch takes place in the mouth (oral cavity) and in the small intestine. About 40% of starch that is a carbohydrate is partially digested by ptyalin (salivary amylase) while the remaining 60% starch is digested by pancreatic amylase secretion of the pancreas.

Detailed explanation-4: -Mouth. The digestive process starts in your mouth when you chew. Your salivary glands make saliva, a digestive juice, which moistens food so it moves more easily through your esophagus into your stomach. Saliva also has an enzyme that begins to break down starches in your food.