AP BIOLOGY

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