Question

In mouth, saliva converts starch into

• A. Glucose
• B. Sucrose
• C. Maltose
• D. Lactose

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Maltose

The correct option is option C.

The explanation for the correct option:

1. Saliva in the mouth changes starch into maltose.
2. Amylase, also known as ptyalin, is an enzyme found in saliva that can break down starch into less complex sugars like maltose and dextrin.
3. Two glucose molecules are linked together to form the sugar known as maltose.
4. As a result, foods including cereals, some fruits, and sweet potatoes naturally contain high levels of this sugar.
5. Maltose in the diet provides animals with a supply of glucose.
6. The body can either absorb the maltose and store it for later use or it can convert it to glucose right away.
7. In essence, maltose is a crucial source of energy.

Explanations for the incorrect options:
Option A:

1. The primary sugar in our blood is called blood sugar, or glucose.
2. Our bodies use it as their primary source of energy, and it originates from the food we eat.
3. By converting glycogen into glucose, a process known as glycogenolysis, the liver produces sugar or glucose.

Option B:

1. The major component of white sugar, sucrose is simply the chemical name for sugar, the familiar simple carbohydrate that is produced naturally in plants.

Option D:

1. A naturally occurring sugar called lactose can be found in milk and dairy products like cheese and ice cream.
2. Lactose is converted into glucose and galactose, two simpler sugars, in the colon by the enzyme lactase, which our body uses for energy and other purposes.
   

Final answer: In the mouth, saliva converts starch into maltose.