When you chew crackers, it is possible that three factors affect the rate of breakdown of carbonhydrates.?

Question

Can you guys explain to me?

Answer 1

Yes it is possible. Three or more factors may be involved.

The first is the chewing. The teeth physically break the cracker into smaller pieces with greater surface area. Chewing also involves the tongue mixing the broken pieces of cracker with saliva. This is really a separate factor, but it is physical.

A second factor is the pH of the saliva and the concentration of the enzyme Amylase in the saliva. These will have an effect on the rate of the chemical reaction breaking the starch molecules into glucose units.

The slightly elevated temperature of saliva (compared to room temperature) is also part of this chemical factor, but it effects the rate slightly compared to the composition of the saliva.