Final answer:
The chemical digestion of protein does not begin in the mouth. Saliva in the mouth contains an enzyme called amylase which starts the chemical digestion of carbohydrates, not proteins.
Step-by-step explanation:
The chemical digestion of protein actually begins in the stomach, not in the mouth. In the mouth, saliva contains an enzyme called amylase that starts the chemical digestion of carbohydrates by breaking down starches into sugar, not proteins. Saliva also contains mucus that moistens food and buffers the pH of the food. Additionally, another enzyme called lipase, produced by cells in the tongue, begins the breakdown of fat components in the food.