why are is there more than one amylase in the human body?

Question

what are they called

Answer 1

The two amylase work in different ph: nuetral and alkaline. Therefore if the amylase is to work in both, they won't be able to digest starch.

Answer 2

There is Salivary Amylase and Pancreatic Amylase. They are both types of Alpha-Amylase (the beta and gamma amylases are produced by other species) and are coded for on the short arm of chromosome 1.

Salivary amylase is inactivated by gastric acid and hence for further digestion, pancreatic amylase is secreted.

See the wikipedia

Salivary amylase (ptyalin)

Amylase is found in saliva and breaks starch down into maltose and dextrin. This form is also called ptyalin. Ptyalin will break large, insoluble starch molecules into soluble starches(amylodextrin,erythrodextrin,achrodextrin) producing successively smaller starches and ultimately maltose. Ptyalin acts on linear α(1,4) glucosidic linkages, but compound hydrolysis requires an enzyme which acts on branched products. Salivary amylase is inactivated in the stomach by gastric acid.

Pancreatic amylase

Pancreatic α-amylase randomly cleaves the α(1-4)glycosidic linkages of amylose to yield dextrin, maltose or glucose molecules. It adopts a double displacement mechanism with retention of anomeric configuration.

Answer 3

? amylase in an enzyme in your saliva. i think....it breaks down complex carbohydrates into simple sugars? is that it? i don't remember