What is the Difference Between Salivary Amylase and Pancreatic Amylase?

Salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase are two types of amylase enzymes that play crucial roles in carbohydrate digestion. The main differences between them are:

1. Origin: Salivary amylase is produced by the salivary glands and secreted into the mouth, while pancreatic amylase is produced by the pancreas and secreted into the small intestine.
2. Function: Salivary amylase initiates carbohydrate digestion in the mouth by breaking down the unprocessed form of carbohydrates known as starch. Pancreatic amylase, on the other hand, is the main enzyme responsible for the luminal digestion of carbohydrates in the small intestine.
3. Genetic Differences: Salivary amylase is coded for by the AMY1 gene, while pancreatic amylase is coded for by the AMY2 gene.
4. Activity Levels: Salivary and pancreatic amylases are similar, but they have different levels of activity and are encoded by different genes.

Both enzymes help in the digestion of starch and other carbohydrate polymers into simple sugars. Salivary amylase acts on the raw form of carbohydrates inside the mouth, and pancreatic amylase completes the digestion of complex carbohydrates in the small intestine.

Comparative Table: Salivary Amylase vs Pancreatic Amylase

Salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase are both enzymes that help digest carbohydrates. Here is a table highlighting the differences between the two:

Both salivary and pancreatic amylases are examples of alpha-amylase. They are encoded by different genes (AMY1 and AMY2, respectively) and show different levels of activity against starches of various origins.