Final answer:
Carbohydrates are broken down by salivary amylase in the mouth and by pancreatic amylase, maltase, sucrase, and lactase in the duodenum.
Step-by-step explanation:
The enzymes responsible for the breakdown of carbohydrates in the mouth and duodenum are crucial for the digestion process. In the mouth, the process begins with salivary amylase, which initiates the breakdown of food starches into the disaccharide maltose. Once the food reaches the duodenum, pancreatic amylase continues the digestion of starches and glycogen into simpler forms, primarily maltose.
Within the duodenum, the brush border enzymes play a significant role. These enzymes include maltase, which converts maltose into glucose, sucrase, which breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, and lactase (if present), which splits lactose into glucose and galactose. These monosaccharides are then ready to be absorbed into the bloodstream for transport to various cells of the body, where they are used to harness energy.