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
How does hydrochloric acid help in facilitating the action of pepsin?
Identify the function of lipase in the process of digestion.
Which of the following pairs is INCORRECTLY matched?
Match the columns.
Column-A (Disorder) Column-B (Enzyme) i. Gaucher disease a. Phenylalanine hydroxylase ii Hunter syndrome b. Hexosaminidase A iii. Tay-Sachs disease c. Iduronate-2-sulfatase iv. Phenylketonuria d. Glucocerebrosidase Scurvy, the symptoms of which include bleeding gums, may be prevented by adding _________to the diet.
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