Final answer:
Salivary amylase breaks down starch, which is a carbohydrate. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which starts chemical digestion in the mouth by breaking down carbohydrates.
Step-by-step explanation:
Salivary amylase breaks down starch, which is a carbohydrate. Saliva contains an enzyme called amylase, which starts chemical digestion in the mouth by breaking down carbohydrates. It acts on starch, breaking it down into smaller sugar molecules such as maltose and glucose. This breakdown of carbohydrates by saliva occurs in the mouth before the food passes into the stomach.