In which part of the digestive system is salivary amylase active?

Salivary amylase is an enzyme secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth that plays a crucial role in the digestion of carbohydrates. Its primary function is to break down starches into simpler sugars, such as maltose. This process begins in the mouth as food is chewed and mixed with saliva, where salivary amylase starts the breakdown of carbohydrates before the food is swallowed.

In the context of the digestive system, the active site of salivary amylase is the mouth, as this is where it first encounters starches in food. While digestion continues in other parts of the digestive tract, salivary amylase has its primary activity in the mouth before the food progresses to the stomach, small intestine, or large intestine.

Understanding the role of salivary amylase helps illustrate the importance of initial enzymatic activity in the mouth, which is the first step in the overall digestive process.