Which of the following statements is NOT true about carbohydrate digestion?

• A. Disaccharidases in the small intestine break down disaccharides into monosaccharides.
• B. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth with the action of salivary amylase.
• C. All carbohydrates are fully digested and absorbed in the stomach.
• D. Pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown of starches in the small intestine.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Begin by understanding the process of carbohydrate digestion. Carbohydrates are broken down into simpler forms (monosaccharides) for absorption. This process involves enzymes and occurs in specific parts of the digestive system.
2. Step 2: Review the role of salivary amylase. Carbohydrate digestion begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase starts breaking down starches into smaller polysaccharides and maltose.
3. Step 3: Examine the role of disaccharidases in the small intestine. Disaccharidases, such as maltase, sucrase, and lactase, break down disaccharides (e.g., maltose, sucrose, lactose) into monosaccharides (e.g., glucose, fructose, galactose) for absorption.
4. Step 4: Understand the role of pancreatic amylase. In the small intestine, pancreatic amylase continues the breakdown of starches into maltose and other disaccharides, complementing the action of salivary amylase.
5. Step 5: Clarify the statement about carbohydrate digestion in the stomach. Carbohydrate digestion does not occur in the stomach because the acidic environment denatures salivary amylase, halting its activity. Therefore, the statement 'All carbohydrates are fully digested and absorbed in the stomach' is NOT true.