Question

describe the role of saliva in digestion ?
for 2 marks only....

Answer 1

Saliva is secreted by the salivary glands. The mucus in saliva mixes up with the food , makes it soft and helps to swallow. Saliva also contains an enzyme called salivary amylase which converts the complex starch present in our food to simple sugar.

Answer 2

Saliva moistens food and helps to create a food bolus for easy swallowing and contains the digestive enzyme called amylase or ptyalin, which breaks down starch into sugar, such as maltose and dextrin.