Which nutrient's chemical digestion occurs with the help of salivary amylase?

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Prepare for the TCC Nutrition 101 Test. Study effectively through multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ensure you're ready for your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which nutrient's chemical digestion occurs with the help of salivary amylase?

Explanation:
Salivary amylase starts chemical digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. It acts on starch, a carbohydrate, breaking it into smaller sugars like maltose and dextrins. That’s why the nutrient affected by this enzyme is carbohydrate. Proteins are digested by proteases (such as pepsin and pancreatic enzymes), fats by lipase (with bile for emulsification), and nucleic acids by nucleases, so they aren’t acted on by salivary amylase. Also, the stomach’s acidic environment Inactivates salivary amylase, so most carbohydrate digestion continues later in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase.

Salivary amylase starts chemical digestion of carbohydrates in the mouth. It acts on starch, a carbohydrate, breaking it into smaller sugars like maltose and dextrins. That’s why the nutrient affected by this enzyme is carbohydrate. Proteins are digested by proteases (such as pepsin and pancreatic enzymes), fats by lipase (with bile for emulsification), and nucleic acids by nucleases, so they aren’t acted on by salivary amylase. Also, the stomach’s acidic environment Inactivates salivary amylase, so most carbohydrate digestion continues later in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase.

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