Question

When a piece of bread is chewed, it tastes sweet because

• A. the sugar contents are drawn out.
  
• B. saliva converts starch into maltose.
• C. the taste buds are stimulated by chewing.
• D. saliva converts starch into glucose.

Answer 1

The correct option is option (B):

Explanation for the correct option:

1. Saliva is secreted by the salivary glands present in the mouth.
2. Saliva contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase.
3. Salivary amylase converts the starch present in the food into maltose.
4. Maltose is a sugar which is sweet in taste.
5. Hence saliva converts starch into maltose while chewing the piece of bread.

Final answer: When a piece of bread is chewed, it tastes sweet because saliva converts starch into maltose.