Which enzyme helps break down carbohydrates in the digestive system?

Amylase is the enzyme responsible for breaking down carbohydrates in the digestive system. It specifically targets starches and glycogen, converting them into simpler sugars such as maltose and glucose. This process begins in the mouth, where salivary amylase is released, and continues in the small intestine with pancreatic amylase.

The other enzymes listed have specific roles but do not function in carbohydrate digestion. Pepsin is primarily involved in protein digestion, breaking down proteins into peptides. Trypsin also focuses on protein digestion, continuing the work started by pepsin in the small intestine. Cellulase is an enzyme that recognizes and breaks down cellulose, a component of plant cell walls, and is typically not found in mammals, making it less relevant to the typical digestive processes in the digestive systems of many animals. Thus, amylase is the correct choice for carbohydrate breakdown in the digestive system.