Question

Give the name of the enzyme present in the fluid in our mouth cavity. State the gland which produces it. What would happen to the digestion process if this gland stops secreting this enzyme?

Answer 1

Saliva is fluid in our mouth cavity, and saliva released into the oral cavity contains enzymes such as salivary amylase and lysozyme. Amylase is produced by salivary glands. The hydrolytic action of the carbohydrate breaking enzyme, salivary amylase, initiates the chemical process of digestion in the oral cavity. This enzyme hydrolyzes around 30% of starch (at an optimal pH of 6.8) into maltose, a disaccharide. Amylase is a digestive enzyme that breaks down starch in food into smaller carbohydrate molecules. Without amylase, a person's mouth cannot digest carbs and sugars. However, the pancreas secretes amylase, which continues digestion, therefore starch digestion does not halt completely.