Digestive System
Easybiology
Which enzyme initiates carbohydrate digestion in the oral cavity?
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Solution
Incorrect! Answer:
Salivary amylase
- Oral Cavity Digestion: Digestion begins in the mouth with both mechanical and chemical processes.
- Chemical Action: Saliva contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase (also known as ptyalin).
- Function: It initiates the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (starch) into simpler sugars like maltose and dextrins.
- Condition: It functions optimally at a slightly acidic pH of about 6.8. About 30% of starch is hydrolyzed here before reaching the stomach.
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About This Question
- Subject
- biology
- Chapter
- human physiology
- Topic
- digestive system
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Year
- 2025
Solution
Correct Answer:
Salivary amylase
- Oral Cavity Digestion: Digestion begins in the mouth with both mechanical and chemical processes.
- Chemical Action: Saliva contains a digestive enzyme called salivary amylase (also known as ptyalin).
- Function: It initiates the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (starch) into simpler sugars like maltose and dextrins.
- Condition: It functions optimally at a slightly acidic pH of about 6.8. About 30% of starch is hydrolyzed here before reaching the stomach.
This easy difficulty biology question is from the chapter human physiology, covering the topic of digestive system. It appeared in the 2025 exam.
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