CBSENEETClass 10
What is the role of saliva in the digestion of food?
Answer
Saliva moistens food and contains the enzyme salivary amylase (ptyalin), which begins the digestion of starch into maltose in the mouth.
The working
Source
Saliva is secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth and mixes with food during chewing.
Enzyme action
It contains the enzyme salivary amylase (ptyalin), which breaks down starch (a complex carbohydrate) into the sugar maltose.
Physical role
Saliva moistens and softens the food, making it easier to chew and swallow, and helps form the food into a bolus.
Medium
Saliva keeps the mouth slightly alkaline, which is the suitable condition for salivary amylase to act.
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