Question

A digestive enzyme salivary amylase (present in saliva) begins digestion of

• A. Protein
• B. Nucleic acids
• C. Facts
• D. Carbohydrates

Answer 1

The correct option is D Carbohydrates

Amylase is a digestive enzyme that acts on starch in food, breaking it down into smaller carbohydrate molecules. It is produced at two sites. First, salivary glands in the mouth make salivary amylase, which begins the digestive process by breaking down starch when the food is chewed. It converts the starch to maltose, a smaller carbohydrate. When starchy foods like rice or potatoes begin to break down in the mouth, a slightly sweet taste is detected, as maltose is released. Cells in the pancreas make another type of amylase, called pancreatic amylase, which passes through a duct to reach the small intestine. Pancreatic amylase completes digestion of carbohydrate, producing glucose, a small molecule that is absorbed into the blood and carried throughout the body. Salivary amylase does not act on proteins, fats or nucleic acids. Thus, option D is correct.