Question

Saliva contains an enzyme
A. Enterokinase
B. Ptyalin/amylase
C. Chymotrypsin
D. Lipase

Answer 1

Saliva is a liquid substance produced in our mouth by salivary glands. It helps in digesting the food. The salivary glands are exocrine in nature. They secrete daily one to one and a half litres of saliva in the vestibule.

Complete answer: The saliva is composed of ninety percent of water. It also contains sodium chloride and potassium chloride in trace amounts. The saliva contains the mucin protein. Apart from that, it consists of two enzymes; lysozyme and ptyalin. These enzymes make the saliva slightly acidic in nature. The pH of saliva is 6.5. The saliva mixes with the chewed food in the mouth that is known as the bolus. It also keeps the buccal cavity moist. The saliva also helps in speech. Saliva lubricates and conducts the food into the oesophagus. The ptyalin that is also known as the salivary amylase does thirty percent digestion of starch in the mouth. It converts starch into maltose sugar. The lysozyme does the antibacterial function along with the thiocyanate ion and immunoglobulin A. Thus, based on the above information we can conclude that the saliva contains the enzyme ptyalin/amylase.
Hence, the correct answer is option B.

Note: There are three pairs of salivary glands present:
a) Parotid gland – It is present under the ear. It is the largest salivary gland. Its duct is known as Stenson’s duct.
b) Submaxillary gland – It is present in the lower jaw. It produced maximum saliva. Its duct is known as Wharton’s duct.
c) Sublingual gland – It is present in the tongue. It produces saliva all the time. Its duct is known as the Rivinus duct.