The enzyme that converts starch into maltose is called

Options

A. Zymase
B. Maltase
C. Invertase
D. Amylase

Answer

To solve the question regarding the enzyme that converts starch into maltose, we can follow these steps:

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Identify the Substrate**: The substrate in this case is starch, which is a polysaccharide made up of glucose units.

2. **Understand the Conversion**: The conversion we are interested in is from starch (a polysaccharide) to maltose (a disaccharide).

3. **Identify the Enzyme**: The enzyme responsible for breaking down starch into maltose is called **amylase**. Amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into simpler sugars, primarily maltose.

4. **Location of Enzyme Action**: Amylase is present in saliva (salivary amylase) and also in the pancreas (pancreatic amylase) which acts in the small intestine. However, since the question does not specify the location, we can refer to salivary amylase as the enzyme that initiates the breakdown of starch in the mouth.

5. **Conclusion**: Therefore, the enzyme that converts starch into maltose is **amylase**.

### Final Answer:
The enzyme that converts starch into maltose is called **amylase**.

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