Question

Enzyme present in saliva is
A. Maltase
B. Ptyalin
C. Sucrase
D. Invertase

Answer 1

Hint: The biochemical reactions occurring within the body are catalyzed by globular proteins called enzymes. They only act by catalyzing the chemical reaction and do not undergo any changes themselves. A particular reaction and substrate have a specific enzyme. The enzymes are named based on the reaction or compound they participate in. Enzymes are often termed as biocatalysts.

Complete answer:Saliva is a watery, extracellular fluid secreted by the salivary glands on stimulation by both the sympathetic nervous system and parasympathetic nervous system. Saliva contains 98 percent water and many vital substances such as mucus, immunoglobulins, mucins, white blood cells, epithelial cells, proteins, enzymes such as amylase and lipase, electrolytes such as potassium, calcium, phosphate, magnesium, sodium, and bicarbonates, nitrogenous products such as ammonia and urea, and antimicrobial agents such as lysozymes. The saliva is associated with various body functions. Saliva promotes thorough chewing of food, softening of food particles to ease swallowing, cleaning the mouth, chemical digestion, provides lubrication, and protects the oral mucosa from drying. The salivary amylase enzyme breaks down starch into dextrin and maltose. This facilitates the digestion of food in the mouth. These enzymes also break down food particles embedded in the dental crevices, thus preventing dental bacterial decay.
-Maltase: Maltase is an enzyme that acts as a catalyst in the hydrolysis process of maltose. Wherein maltose breaks down into simpler sugar glucose. This enzyme is found in yeast, bacteria and plants. In the human body, it is present in the small intestine facilitating the breakdown of disaccharide maltose into simpler sugar molecules.
-Ptyalin: Ptyalin is also known as salivary amylase. It is produced and secreted by the salivary glands facilitating the digestion of food in the mouth even before it reaches the stomach.
-Sucrase: Sucrase is a digestive enzyme. It participates in the hydrolysis reaction of sucrose. Sucrose hydrolysis into its subunits glucose and fructose.
-Invertase: Invertase is a sucrose enzyme which often occurs in plants. It helps breakdown sucrose into glucose and fructose.
Therefore, the correct answer is option B, i.e., Ptyalin

Note: Sometime overproduction of saliva could occur. This could happen due to niacin or vitamin B3 deficiency, rabies, gastroesophageal reflux disease, etc. Other factors that could facilitate the overproduction of saliva include pregnancy, liver disease, oral ulcers, oral infections, pancreatitis, etc.
Some medications could also result in overproduction of saliva such as pilocarpine, ketamine, clozapine, and potassium chlorate.