What type of macromolecule does amylase primarily break down?

Amylase primarily breaks down starch, which is a type of carbohydrate. Starch is a polysaccharide made up of numerous glucose units linked together, and amylase is an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of these glycosidic bonds. The breakdown of starch into simpler sugars, like maltose and glucose, occurs in the digestive system, where salivary amylase initiates the process in the mouth, and pancreatic amylase continues it in the small intestine.

By understanding that amylase specifically targets the bonds within starch, it's clear why it does not break down fats, proteins, or fiber. Each of these macromolecules requires different enzymes for their digestion: lipases for fats, proteases for proteins, and cellulases for fiber. This illustrates the specificity of enzymes and their corresponding substrates in biological processes.