Question

Why will salivary amylase not break down protein

Answer 1

Salivary amylase is an enzyme that is found in saliva in the mouth. It is an enzyme that only recognizes the glycosidic bonds between molecules of simple sugars that form the carbohydrate polymers. It specifically targets these bonds and breaks them and does not recognize any other bonds of different substances such as protein. Salivary amylase is alkaline in nature and cannot work in the stomach. It breaks the glycosidic bonds between the glucose molecules in starch to form maltose. Maltose is later broken down further by pancreatic amylase, into individual units of glucose.