Which enzyme is primarily involved in carbohydrate digestion?

Which enzyme is primarily involved in carbohydrate digestion?

• A. Amylase
• B. Protease
• C. Lipase
• D. Nuclease

Answer: (A)

Carbohydrate digestion is driven by amylase, the enzyme that hydrolyzes starches into smaller sugars. Salivary amylase begins breaking down starch in the mouth, and pancreatic amylase continues this process in the small intestine, cleaving α-1,4 glycosidic bonds to form dextrins and maltose. These products are further digested by other enzymes to produce monosaccharides for absorption. The other enzymes target different macronutrients—proteases digest proteins, lipases digest fats, and nucleases digest nucleic acids—so amylase is the one most involved with carbohydrates.

Carbohydrate digestion is driven by amylase, the enzyme that hydrolyzes starches into smaller sugars. Salivary amylase begins breaking down starch in the mouth, and pancreatic amylase continues this process in the small intestine, cleaving α-1,4 glycosidic bonds to form dextrins and maltose. These products are further digested by other enzymes to produce monosaccharides for absorption. The other enzymes target different macronutrients—proteases digest proteins, lipases digest fats, and nucleases digest nucleic acids—so amylase is the one most involved with carbohydrates.