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Multiple Choice
Which enzyme present in human saliva is responsible for breaking down starch into simpler sugars?
A
Lactase
B
Amylase
C
Lipase
D
Pepsin
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Understand the role of enzymes in digestion. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions, including the breakdown of food molecules into simpler forms that can be absorbed by the body.
Step 2: Identify the substrate mentioned in the problem. The substrate here is starch, a complex carbohydrate that needs to be broken down into simpler sugars for digestion.
Step 3: Recall the specific enzyme responsible for breaking down starch. In human saliva, the enzyme amylase is responsible for hydrolyzing starch into maltose and other simpler sugars.
Step 4: Eliminate the incorrect options. Lactase breaks down lactose (milk sugar), lipase breaks down lipids (fats), and pepsin is involved in protein digestion in the stomach. None of these enzymes act on starch.
Step 5: Confirm that the correct enzyme is amylase, which is present in saliva and initiates the digestion of starch into simpler sugars.