The substrate of the enzyme amylase is starch.
Amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into sugars. It breaks down the long chains of glucose molecules in starch into smaller units, primarily maltose and dextrin. This process is essential for the digestion of carbohydrates in our diet.
When we consume foods rich in starch, such as potatoes and bread, amylase is secreted in our saliva (salivary amylase) and later in the small intestine (pancreatic amylase) to facilitate the breakdown of starch. Understanding the role of amylase and its substrate helps in appreciating the biochemical processes that occur during digestion and nutrient absorption.