Final answer:
Salivary amylase in saliva starts the digestion of carbohydrates, specifically starch, before its activity is ceased in the stomach's acidic environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Saliva contains an enzyme called salivary amylase, which is crucial for the digestion of carbohydrates, specifically starch. This digestive process begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase initiates the decomposition of carbohydrates into simpler sugars. Despite the short amount of time food spends in the mouth, salivary amylase continues to act on starch until it is eventually inactivated by the acidic environment in the stomach.
The saliva produced by the salivary glands is an aqueous solution that is predominantly water, and besides digestive enzymes, it includes ions, glycoproteins, growth factors, and waste products. Moreover, saliva facilitates in moistening, softening, and dissolving food, lubricating the lining of the mouth and pharynx, cleaning the mouth and teeth, and forming bolus for easier swallowing. The various components also contribute to the antimicrobial functions of saliva, including the maintenance of oral health.