What is the name of the enzyme that breaks down starches in the mouth?

The enzyme responsible for breaking down starches in the mouth is salivary amylase. This enzyme is produced by the salivary glands and is released into the mouth during the process of eating. Its primary function is to initiate the digestion of carbohydrates by hydrolyzing starches into simpler sugars, such as maltose and dextrins, while food is being chewed. This breakdown of starch begins the digestive process before the food even reaches the stomach, making salivary amylase an essential enzyme in carbohydrate digestion.

The other enzymes mentioned play different roles in the digestive process. Pepsin is active in the stomach and is responsible for breaking down proteins into smaller peptides. Lipase is involved in fat digestion and acts primarily in the small intestine. Trypsin is another protein-digesting enzyme, but it is also active in the small intestine and is involved in further digesting the peptides that pepsin has already started to break down. Therefore, salivary amylase is unique in its role and location as the primary enzyme for starch digestion in the mouth.