What does amylase specifically break down?

Amylase is an enzyme that specifically breaks down starches into simpler sugars, such as maltose and glucose. It acts on the glycosidic bonds within the starch molecules, facilitating their hydrolysis. This breakdown process is essential in the digestive system, where amylase found in saliva initiates the digestion of carbohydrates. Understanding the role of amylase highlights its importance in metabolism and digestion, as starch is a significant source of energy in many diets. Enzymes like amylase are specialized and work on specific substrates; in this case, starch is the only type of macromolecule that amylase targets, explaining why the other choices do not correlate with the enzyme's function.