Consider the following statements regarding human digestive enzymes: 1. Salivary amylase breaks down complex starches into maltose in the oral cavity. 2. Pepsin is secreted by gastric glands in the stomach and initiates protein digestion in an acidic medium. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

💡 Solution & Explanation

Salivary amylase acts on ingested starches inside the mouth to convert them into disaccharides, while gastric pepsin functions in the acidic environment of the stomach provided by hydrochloric acid to hydrolyze proteins into smaller peptides. Both statements accurately describe human physiological digestion. The pancreas secretes trypsin and lipase into the small intestine for further nutrient breakdown. Bile salts emulsify dietary fats to facilitate enzymatic action.