Which of the three major digestive enzymes is responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into simple sugars?

The enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates into simple sugars is amylase. Amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch into sugars, primarily maltose and dextrin. This process begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase starts digesting carbohydrates as food is chewed. Amylase is crucial for proper carbohydrate digestion, as it reduces complex carbohydrates into simpler forms that can be easily absorbed by the body.

In terms of the other options, lipase is the enzyme that breaks down fats into fatty acids and glycerol, which is not related to carbohydrate digestion. Protease, on the other hand, is responsible for breaking down proteins into amino acids, focusing on a completely different macronutrient. The option “All of the above” is inaccurate because not all listed enzymes serve the function of breaking down carbohydrates, making amylase the clear and correct choice for this specific action within the digestive process.