Examples of Digestive Enzymes - Amylase
Biology: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 2.2.8
Amylase
Carbohydrase enzymes break carbohydrates down into sugars. Amylase is a type of carbohydrase that can break down starch in our bodies:
Production
- Amylase is produced in:
- Pancreas.
- Salivary glands.
Purpose
- Amylase breaks down starch into its constituent simple sugars (predominantly maltose).
- Starch → Maltose (+ other sugars).
Action sites
- The sites of action of amylase are:
- The small intestine.
- The mouth.
Test yourself on Examples of Digestive Enzymes - Amylase
Why do humans have more copies of the amylase gene than chimpanzees?
What happens to starch in a piece of bread while it is being chewed in the mouth?
A person's pancreas stops producing amylase. What effect would this have on starch digestion in the small intestine?
Why is amylase classified as a carbohydrase rather than another type of enzyme?
A student claims that amylase acts in the stomach. Why is this claim incorrect?