Question

What would happen if the ducts of salivary glands are closed?

Answer 1

Saliva

1. Saliva is a watery fluid with a pH of 6.5 and 7.5 produced by the salivary glands.
2. It is formed of 98-99% water, 0.2% salts, mucus, and starch splitting enzyme, ptyalin, also known as salivary amylase.

Consequences of closed ducts of salivary glands

Due to the closed ducts of salivary glands, the saliva will not be able to reach the mouth and can cause a series of issues such as:

1. Increased acidity: The bicarbonates, phosphates, and mucin in the saliva act as a buffer and neutralize acids in food. The absence of saliva will lead to acidity.
2. Impaired digestion of Carbohydrates: Saliva contains a digestive enzyme known as salivary amylase, which hydrolyzes starch and glycogen into maltose, isomaltose, and small dextrins. The absence of saliva will hinder the process of digestion.
3. Bacterial Infection: Saliva contains polysaccharides, lysozyme, and thiocyanate ions that destroy bacteria and prevent bacterial infection. The absence of saliva might lead to bacterial infections.