Question

If salivary amylase is lacking in the saliva, which of the following events in the mouth cavity will be affected?

• A. Proteins breaking down into amino acids.
• B. Starch breaks down into sugars.
• C. Fats break down into fatty acids and glycerol.
• D. Absorption of vitamins.

Answer 1

The correct option is B

Starch breaks down into sugars.

The correct option is B.

The explanation for the correct option:

1. Salivary amylase, an enzyme that breaks down glucose polymers, is produced by the salivary glands.
2. It makes up a minor percentage of the total amount of expelled amylase, which is mostly produced by the pancreas.
3. The enzyme known as amylase is responsible for hydrolyzing starch into simple sugars.
4. Thus, the digestion of starch is impacted if salivary amylase is deficient.
5. Other events include the small intestine's bile breaking down fat and the protease enzyme breaking down protein into amino acids.
6. While the small intestine is where vitamins are absorbed.
7. Amylase is an enzyme that is found in the saliva of our mouths.
8. As we chew the cracker, the amylase causes the starch and water to combine to form a sweet-tasting sugar called glucose.
9. And even if we spit out the mush, the amylase reaction continues to produce glucose.

Explanations for the incorrect options:

Option A:

1. Once a protein source enters our stomach, it is broken down into smaller chains of amino acids by hydrochloric acid and proteases.
2. Amino acids are joined by peptides, which are broken down by proteases.
3. These shorter chains of amino acids travel from our stomach to our small intestine.

Option C:

1. In the cytoplasm, a process known as lipolysis takes place.
2. The enzyme known as lipase is responsible for dissolving any lipids present in the form of emulsified fat and turning them into fatty acids and glycerol.
3. Triglycerides must first undergo hydrolysis to separate into their two main parts, fatty acids, and glycerol, to be converted into energy.

Option D:

1. When a supplement dissolves or when food is digested, it is taken directly into the bloodstream.
2. Our bodies easily absorb several water-soluble vitamins because our bodies contain a large amount of water.

Final answer: If salivary amylase is lacking in the saliva, starch breaks down into sugars in the mouth cavity and will be affected.