Question
Biology Question on Digestion and absorption
Which of the following functions is not performed by secretions from salivary glands?
A
Control bacterial population in mouth
B
Digestion of complex carbohydrates
C
Lubrication of oral cavity
D
Digestion of disaccharides
Answer
Digestion of disaccharides
Explanation
Solution
Saliva contains the enzyme salivary amylase that helps digest the starches in food. About 30% of starch is hydrolysed here by this enzyme (optimum pH 6.8) into a disaccharide – maltose. However, maltose cannot be further digested by amylase in the buccal cavity. Succus entericus in the small intestine contains disaccharidases like maltase, which finally digests the disaccharides like maltose.