Why is starch not digested in the stomach?

Answer 1

Amylase is an enzyme that breaks down polysaccharides like starch into its constituent monosaccharides like glucose. This enzyme works best in environments like the mouth and small intestine where the pH is about 8. Amylase is secreted by your salivary glands for starch digestion in your mouth and by the pancreas for starch digestion in your small intestine. Amylase does not work in low pH environments and I think may be destroyed if the pH is low enough. This means amylase does not function and may even be destroyed in your stomach.

Answer 2

There is little or no digestion of starch in the stomach because the stomach contains gastric acid, which digests proteins. This acid is unable to break down starch chemically, The starch is broken down when it enters the small intestine because the secretions, such as pancreatic amylase, in the small intestine are able to break it down.

Answer 3

Found in my physiology book.

1.the epithelial cells are covered by a blanket of alkaline mucus and are not directly exposed to chyme.

2.the epithelial cells lack the specialized transport mechanisms found in the cell lining of the small intestine.

3.the gastic lining is impermeable to water.

4.digestion has not proceeded to completion by the time chyme leaves the stomach.

Answer 4

It depends on what is meant by "little digestion in the stomach".

What comes to mind is an ineffiencent ability of the stomach to digest and absorb nutrients - often called malabsorption. Many serious illnesses are linked to malabsorption. An inflamed ileum (such as with various types of Crohn's disease) can interfere with the absorption of vitamin B12 and bile salts. Any inflammation along the length of the small intestine will seriously impair the absorption of all food.

Answer 5

Because of the acidic conditions. Starch is digested by amylase, which is found in more alkaline conditions, such as the salivary gland, pancreas and small intestine.

Answer 6

The high acid content of the stomach inhibits the enzyme activity, so carbohydrate digestion is suspended in the stomach.

Answer 7

It is. Starch actually begins to digest in the mouth (see: amylase)