Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, which breaks down what compound?

1. Protein

2. Fat

3. Starch

4. Cellulose

The correct answer is: Starch

Saliva contains the enzyme amylase, specifically salivary amylase, which is responsible for breaking down starch into smaller carbohydrate molecules, such as maltose and dextrin, during the digestive process. Starch is a polysaccharide composed of glucose units, and amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds within starch, making it easier for the body to further digest and absorb these sugars later in the gastrointestinal tract. Proteins are primarily broken down by proteases, which are not present in saliva. Fats are emulsified by bile acids in the small intestine, involving enzymes like lipases, rather than being significantly acted upon by enzymes in saliva. Cellulose, a structural component of plant cell walls, is not digestible by humans because we lack the necessary enzymes to break it down. Understanding the role of amylase in the digestive system highlights the importance of saliva not only in lubricating food but also in initiating the digestion of carbohydrates right from the beginning of the eating process.