What is the primary function of amylase in the human body?

Amylase plays a crucial role in the digestive process, primarily by breaking down carbohydrates into simpler sugars. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of starch and glycogen, which are complex carbohydrates, into maltose and dextrins, facilitating easier absorption in the intestine. Both salivary amylase, produced in the saliva, and pancreatic amylase, secreted by the pancreas into the small intestine, perform this function. By breaking down carbohydrates into smaller units, amylase ensures that the body can efficiently utilize carbohydrates as a source of energy.

The other functions presented in the choices do not align with the specific role of amylase. For instance, the digestion of proteins is primarily the function of enzymes such as pepsin and trypsin, lipid digestion involves enzymes like lipase, and the absorption of vitamins occurs largely within the small intestine, facilitated by different mechanisms unrelated to amylase's function.