Question

If salivary amylase is lacking in saliva which of the following events in the mouth cavity will be affected?
A) Proteins breaking down into amino acids
B) Starch breaking down into sugars
C) Fats breaking down into fatty acids and glycerol
D) Absorption of vitamins

Answer 1

Saliva is an extracellular fluid that is secreted by the help of salivary glands in the mouth and comprises many important components such as enzymes, electrolytes as well as antimicrobial substances.

Complete answer:
The saliva helps in wetting of the food that makes the swallowing process easier and it also prevents the mucosa from drying out. The saliva comprises 99.5% water and the rest of the percentage is occupied by the electrolytes, antimicrobials and enzymes.
The electrolytes present in saliva comprises sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate and iodine. Among the antimicrobial compounds present the most common ones are secretory immunoglobulin A, hydrogen peroxide and thiocyanate.
The saliva consists of various enzymes that help in the beginning of the process of digestion. Among them is salivary amylase that helps in the breakdown of starch into simple sugars, lingual lipase that acts on fats breaking them into fatty acids and glycerol and kallikrein that produces bradykinin which is a potent vasodilator.

Hence the correct answer is option (B) Starch breaking down into sugars.

Note: The saliva not only helps in the process of digestion but also serves as a lubricant that protects the oral mucosa from any harm, it also provides individuals with the sense of taste and it helps in maintaining the pH of the mouth.