2. STATION 9: Digestion starts in the mouth
Saliva
• cleanses the mouth
• dissolves food chemicals so they can be
tasted
• moistens the food and aids in compacting it
into a bolus (mass of chewed food)
• contains amylase, an enzyme that begins
the chemical breakdown of carbohydrates
Salivary glands function to secrete saliva!
3. STATION 9: Digestion starts in the mouth
ONE CRACKER PER CUSTOMER, PLEASE
Crackers are made of carbohydrates such as starches.
Saliva contains amylase, which is an enzyme specific
to carbohydrates. It speeds up the breakdown of
large carbohydrates into smaller ones.
Digestion begins in the mouth, but you do not need to
chew in order to start the digestion process.
Put a cracker in your mouth and WITHOUT CHEWING, wait
approximately 30-40 seconds to experience the work of
saliva on the breakdown of your cracker.
