Chemical digestion of carbohydrates begins in the __________ with the action of __________.

• A. stomach; hydrochloric acid
• B. small intestine; lipase
• C. small intestine; pancreatic amylase
• D. stomach; salivary amylase
• E. mouth; salivary amylase

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Begin by identifying the process of chemical digestion, which involves breaking down food into smaller molecules using enzymes.
2. Understand that carbohydrates are primarily broken down into simple sugars during digestion.
3. Recognize that the initial stage of carbohydrate digestion occurs in the mouth, where food is mixed with saliva.
4. Learn that salivary amylase is the enzyme present in saliva that starts the breakdown of carbohydrates into maltose and dextrin.
5. Conclude that the correct answer is 'mouth; salivary amylase' because this is where and how the chemical digestion of carbohydrates begins.