Where is amylase present in the digestive system according to the material?

Where is amylase present in the digestive system according to the material?

• A. In the mouth
• B. In the pancreas
• C. In the small intestine
• D. In the stomach

Answer: (A)

Amylase is present in the saliva in the mouth, produced by the salivary glands. This salivary amylase (ptyalin) begins carbohydrate digestion right there, hydrolyzing starch into maltose and dextrins as you chew. While pancreatic amylase is also active later in the small intestine to continue starch digestion, the material highlights the mouth as the site where amylase is present, making it the best answer. Note that the stomach’s acidic environment inactivates salivary amylase, so its activity is mainly in the mouth before moving to the intestine where pancreatic amylase takes over.

Amylase is present in the saliva in the mouth, produced by the salivary glands. This salivary amylase (ptyalin) begins carbohydrate digestion right there, hydrolyzing starch into maltose and dextrins as you chew. While pancreatic amylase is also active later in the small intestine to continue starch digestion, the material highlights the mouth as the site where amylase is present, making it the best answer. Note that the stomach’s acidic environment inactivates salivary amylase, so its activity is mainly in the mouth before moving to the intestine where pancreatic amylase takes over.