Carbohydrate digestion first occurs in :

Options

A. Mouth
B. Intestine
C. Stomach
D. None of these

Answer

**Step-by-Step Text Solution:**

1. **Understanding the Question**: The question asks where carbohydrate digestion first occurs in the human body. The options provided are: A) Mouth, B) Intestine, C) Stomach, D) None of these.

2. **Identifying the Process of Digestion**: Digestion of carbohydrates begins with the breakdown of complex carbohydrates (like starch) into simpler sugars.

3. **Role of Salivary Glands**: In the mouth, there are three pairs of salivary glands:
- Parotid glands (located in the cheek region)
- Submandibular (or submaxillary) glands (located below the jaw)
- Sublingual glands (located below the tongue)

4. **Production of Saliva**: These salivary glands produce saliva, which contains water, electrolytes, and enzymes.

5. **Enzyme Involvement**: The key enzyme in saliva that aids in carbohydrate digestion is called salivary amylase. This enzyme specifically acts on starch.

6. **Action of Salivary Amylase**: Salivary amylase works optimally at a pH of around 6.8 and begins to hydrolyze starch into maltose. It is estimated that about 30% of starch is broken down in the mouth by this enzyme.

7. **Conclusion**: Since the digestion of carbohydrates begins in the mouth with the action of salivary amylase, the correct answer to the question is A) Mouth.

**Final Answer**: Carbohydrate digestion first occurs in the mouth.

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