Action of salivary amylase on a starch solution.

Salivary Amylase Experiment – Understanding Enzyme Activity in Digestion

Salivary amylase is a special type of enzyme found in human saliva. Its job is to break down starch—a complex carbohydrate—into simpler sugars like maltose. This process is one of the first steps in the digestion of food and begins right in our mouth as we chew.

What Happens in the Salivary Amylase Experiment?

In this experiment, you mix saliva (which contains amylase) with starch solution in a test tube and observe what happens over time.

1. When starch is broken down by the enzyme, it turns into simpler sugar.
2. To check whether the starch is still present, we use iodine solution.
   1. If starch is still there, iodine turns blue-black.
   2. If starch has been digested, iodine stays yellow-brown.

This tells us how well the enzyme worked.

How Does It Work?

When conditions are right—body temperature (around 37°C) and a neutral or slightly alkaline pH—salivary amylase begins to break starch into maltose. This breakdown process is a chemical reaction. More saliva (meaning more enzymes) or more time leads to faster and more complete starch digestion.

Real-Life Applications

1. Helps us digest carbs in our daily meals.
2. Used in medical labs to test enzyme functions and diagnose health issues.
3. Applied in the food industry for baking and brewing processes.

Summary Table:

Experience Salivary Amylase Experiment on Dencity

The Dencity virtual lab brings this fascinating Class 10 Science experiment to life on your screen. You can simulate the reaction, control variables like enzyme amount and time, and watch the results instantly—no physical lab required.

Dencity is a powerful science app available on Android, iOS, and desktops, that helps students learn science experiments safely and interactively. It bridges the gap between theory and practical learning, making even complex topics like enzymes fun and easy to understand.

Dencity for Teachers

Dencity enables interactive teaching by allowing teachers to:

1. Host live science labs virtually.
2. Assign virtual experiments as homework.
3. Track student understanding through automated reports.
4. Demonstrate concepts like enzyme activity in real-time.

It’s the ideal science lab solution for schools that want to offer engaging and hands-on education without expensive lab setups.

Works Well on Interactive Touch Panels

Dencity is optimized for interactive touch panels, making it easy for both teachers and students to perform virtual science lab activities through simple gestures.

Contact us today for a demo or to learn about customized pricing for your institution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is salivary amylase?
   It’s an enzyme in saliva that breaks down starch into sugar.
2. Why do we use iodine in the experiment?
   Iodine helps us see if starch is still present by changing color.
3. Why does the solution turn yellow-brown?
   That means the starch was broken down, and no starch remains.
4. What conditions help the enzyme work best?
   Neutral to slightly alkaline pH and body temperature (around 37°C).
5. Can we speed up the reaction?
   Yes, using more enzyme (saliva) or giving it more time.
6. What happens if no saliva is added?
   The starch won’t break down, and the solution will turn blue-black.
7. Is this reaction important for our body?
   Yes, it’s the first step in digesting carbs, giving us energy.
8. How can Dencity help with this experiment?
   Dencity lets you perform the experiment virtually, safely, and as many times as needed.
9. Is this experiment part of the school syllabus?
   Yes, it’s a part of Class 10 science curriculum.
10. Can teachers use this to teach in class?
    Absolutely! Dencity supports interactive teaching and works on smartboards and tablets too.