What is the primary function of amylase in the digestive process?

Amylase plays a crucial role in the digestive process primarily by breaking down starches into simpler sugars. This process occurs in the mouth and small intestine, where amylase catalyzes the hydrolysis of the glycosidic bonds in starch molecules. This enzymatic action transforms complex carbohydrates into maltose and other disaccharides, which can then be further digested by other enzymes into glucose, providing a vital source of energy.

The other options involve different functions: emulsifying fats is primarily the role of bile salts in the digestive process, while the function of transporting oxygen in the blood is carried out by hemoglobin in red blood cells. Facilitating protein synthesis is primarily the job of ribosomes and various enzymes involved in translation, not amylase. Thus, the focus on starch breakdown underscores the importance of amylase specifically in carbohydrate digestion.