Multiple Choice
Which of the following chemical formulas represents that of a simple carbohydrate?
818
views
6
rank
9. Carbohydrates
Carbohydrates
Multiple Choice
In human digestion, the enzyme amylase primarily digests which carbohydrate?
A
Cellulose
B
Glycogen
C
Lactose
D
Starch (amylose and amylopectin)
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand the role of amylase in human digestion: Amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the breakdown of carbohydrates by hydrolyzing glycosidic bonds.
Identify the types of carbohydrates listed: Cellulose is a structural polysaccharide in plants, glycogen is a storage polysaccharide in animals, lactose is a disaccharide sugar found in milk, and starch (amylose and amylopectin) is a storage polysaccharide in plants.
Recall that human amylase specifically targets alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds found in starch molecules (amylose and amylopectin), breaking them down into smaller sugars like maltose and glucose.
Note that cellulose contains beta-1,4-glycosidic bonds, which human amylase cannot digest, and lactose requires the enzyme lactase for digestion, not amylase.
Conclude that the primary carbohydrate digested by amylase in humans is starch, composed of amylose and amylopectin.
Related Videos
Related Practice
