Amylase is secreted in which of the following organs?

Prepare for the BioMedical Admissions Test with interactive flashcards and insightful multiple choice questions. Each question provides helpful hints and thorough explanations. Start your journey to acing the exam!

Amylase is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in the digestion of carbohydrates, specifically in breaking down starches into sugars. The primary organs involved in the secretion of amylase are the salivary glands and the pancreas.

In the salivary glands, amylase is secreted into the mouth, where it begins the process of carbohydrate digestion as food is chewed and mixed with saliva. This initial step is important for helping to fragment starches into simpler sugars, which the body can more readily absorb.

The pancreas also secretes amylase, but this occurs in the small intestine. Here, pancreatic amylase continues the process started in the mouth, further digesting carbohydrates as part of the pancreatic juice that is released into the small intestine during digestion.

While the liver and stomach do not produce amylase, option C correctly identifies the salivary glands and pancreas as the two key organs for amylase secretion, highlighting its critical role in digestive processes beginning in the mouth and continuing in the small intestine. The presence of the small intestine in this answer also reflects the site of action for pancreatic amylase, reinforcing its biological relevance in the digestive system.

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