Which fluid in the mouth initiates carbohydrate digestion?

Which fluid in the mouth initiates carbohydrate digestion?

• A. Bile
• B. Gastric juice
• C. Saliva
• D. Pancreatic juice

Answer: (C)

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth thanks to saliva, which contains the enzyme salivary amylase (ptyalin). This enzyme starts breaking down starches into smaller sugars like maltose and dextrins as you chew, in a neutral to slightly alkaline environment. The other fluids listed have different roles: bile emulsifies fats in the small intestine, gastric juice in the stomach digests proteins with acid and pepsin, and pancreatic juice provides pancreatic amylase that works mainly in the small intestine after chyme enters it. Since the mouth is where salivary amylase first acts on carbohydrates, the fluid responsible for initiating carbohydrate digestion is saliva.

Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth thanks to saliva, which contains the enzyme salivary amylase (ptyalin). This enzyme starts breaking down starches into smaller sugars like maltose and dextrins as you chew, in a neutral to slightly alkaline environment. The other fluids listed have different roles: bile emulsifies fats in the small intestine, gastric juice in the stomach digests proteins with acid and pepsin, and pancreatic juice provides pancreatic amylase that works mainly in the small intestine after chyme enters it. Since the mouth is where salivary amylase first acts on carbohydrates, the fluid responsible for initiating carbohydrate digestion is saliva.