What is the role of saliva in digestion?
The function of the saliva
- Chemical digestion breaks down starch by the function of “salivary amylase”
- Helps to chew and to swallow.
- Lubricating effect: moisturizes the inside of the mouth and creates smoother speech.
- Solvent effect: dissolves food and allows the tongue to taste the food.\
The role of saliva in the digestion of food is explained below:
It provides lubrication for chewing and swallowing the food. The watery liquid which is secreted by the glands present in the mouth is called saliva.
When the saliva is added to food, it "moistens the food" and helps to create a "food bolus" which can be "easily swallowed". There is an enzyme called amylase, present in saliva which involves in breaking of starches into maltose and dextrin.
What is the role of saliva in digestion?
Salivary amylage is present in saliva which converts suger into carbohydrate