NANP Board Practice Exam

Which enzyme starts the hydrolysis of starch during digestion?

1. Amylase

2. Lipase

3. Pepsin

4. Protease

The correct answer is: Amylase

Amylase is the enzyme responsible for the hydrolysis of starch during digestion. It breaks down starches, which are complex carbohydrates, into simpler sugars such as maltose and glucose. This process begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase is secreted by the salivary glands, and continues in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase. The presence of amylase is crucial for carbohydrate digestion, enabling the body to absorb the simpler sugars more efficiently. Lipase, on the other hand, is an enzyme that breaks down fats, not starches. Pepsin is primarily involved in the digestion of proteins in the stomach, while proteases also target protein digestion. Therefore, these enzymes are not related to starch hydrolysis and serve entirely different functions in the digestive process.