Final answer:
The breakdown of starch into sugars is a hydrolysis reaction that occurs as digestive enzymes like amylase degrade starch to dextrins, then maltose, and finally glucose monomers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Breakdown of Starch into Sugars
The breakdown of starch into sugars in the human body is an example of a hydrolysis reaction. Digestive enzymes, such as amylase, convert starch into smaller molecules: dextrins, maltose, and finally glucose. The process starts in the mouth where salivary amylase begins to degrade the starch chains. As digestion progresses, starch is broken down into dextrins, followed by the disaccharide maltose, and ultimately into glucose monomers, which are single sugar units that can be absorbed by the cells.
This hydrolysis reaction involves the addition of water to break the bonds. For example, maltose is hydrolyzed to form two glucose monomers with the addition of water, reversing the synthesis process. The entire pathway from starch to glucose illustrates how complex carbohydrates are catabolized to release energy for the body to use.