In the mouth, starch is broken down by ______.Multiple choice question.salivary amylasesalivary peptidasesacids

Answer

The correct answer is salivary amylase.

Explanation

Starch is a polysaccharide that begins to be broken down into simpler sugars in the mouth. This process is facilitated by salivary amylase, an enzyme found in saliva. Salivary amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into maltose and dextrins.

In contrast, salivary peptidases primarily function in the digestion of proteins, and acids do not specifically break down starches in the oral cavity. Therefore, salivary amylase is the enzyme that specifically targets starch for breakdown during the initial phase of digestion in the mouth.