what us the role of saliva in digestion of food
Answers
Saliva, the watery liquid produced by glands located under the tongue, is an essential component of the digestive process. Saliva is 98% water, so it moistens the mouth and helps compact food into softened particles for easier swallowing. It is produced in salivary glands, saliva has 98 % water, but it contains many important substances also. Including electrolytes, mucus, antibacterial compounds and various enzymes.The digestive functions of saliva include moistening food, and helping to create a food bolus, so it can be swallowed easily.Saliva contains the enzyme amylase that breaks some starches down into maltose and dextrin. The saliva gives moist and softness to the food while chewing and helps in breaking down of food component such as carbohydrates. Thus, it is very important for the easier digestion of food.
Saliva contains salivary amylase enzyme that breaks down starch into sugars like maltose .
Saliva keeps the mouth cavity clean and moistens the food that help in chewing and breaking down the big pieces of food into smaller ones .