Salivary Amylase — NDEB AFK MCQ
Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.
Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.
Reveal the answer and explanation
Correct answer: E — Salivary amylase (ptyalin)
Salivary amylase (ptyalin) is a calcium-dependent enzyme secreted primarily by the parotid gland (serous secretion). It hydrolyses alpha-1,4-glycosidic bonds in starch, breaking it down to maltose and dextrin. The enzyme functions optimally at a neutral pH (~6.8-7.0) and is inactivated by gastric acid. From a caries perspective, amylase can cleave dietary starch into fermentable sugars (maltose) that can be metabolised by oral bacteria to produce acid, though the clinical significance of this pathway is debated.
Reference: Nanci – Ten Cate's Oral Histology, 9th ed., 2017