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Question

Which enzyme initiates carbohydrate digestion in the human mouth?

The correct answer is
Salivary amylase present in saliva

Enzyme for Carbohydrate Digestion in Mouth

The digestion of carbohydrates begins in the human mouth. The key enzyme responsible for this initial step is found in saliva.

Identifying the Correct Enzyme

  • The question asks for the enzyme that starts carbohydrate digestion in the mouth.
  • Salivary amylase, present in saliva, is specifically responsible for breaking down complex carbohydrates (starch) into simpler sugars like maltose.
  • Pepsin digests proteins and functions in the stomach.
  • Lipase digests fats, primarily acting in the stomach and small intestine; the liver produces bile salts, not the primary initiating lipase for digestion in the mouth.
  • Trypsin digests proteins and is released by the pancreas into the small intestine.

Therefore, salivary amylase is the enzyme that initiates carbohydrate digestion in the human mouth.

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Important Questions from Digestive System

  1. Which year did the Food Security Act come into force?

  2. Beriberi is caused due to the deficiency of ______.

  3. Which of the following organs is affected in jaundice ?

  4. What do the finger like outgrowths present in the inner walls of the small intestine known as? 

  5. Which of the following statements is/are true regarding the function of bile juice in human digestive system ?
    (A) It makes the partly digested food coming from stomach alkaline.
    (B) It helps in digestion of fats.
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