Question

How much saliva on an average a human body produces per day?

• A. 200 -800 ml/ day
• B. 1000-1500 ml/ day
• C. 500-1000 ml/ day
• D. 1500-3000ml/ day

Answer 1

The correct option is B 1000-1500 ml/ day

Human body on an average produces 1000-1500ml of saliva per day. Saliva is produced by salivary glands that are situated in the mouth. It is slightly acidic with a pH of about 6.8. It contains salivary amylase (alpha-amylase), lysozyme (kills pathogens), electrolytes (act as buffering agents) and water (prevents drying of mouth). These salivary secretions are of three types: Serous, Mucous and Seromucous. In serous secretions, the main protein is alpha-amylase, an enzyme that breaks down starch into maltose mostly. In mucous secretions, the main protein is mucin which acts as lubricant. In seromucous secretions, both serous and mucous are secreted.