Which two enzymes act on glycogen to depolymerize it into maltose and glucose?

• A. Diastase and alpha amylase
• B. Protease and lipase
• C. Lactase and sucrase
• D. Maltase and isomaltase

Answer: (A)

Glycogen breakdown starts with an amylase that cleaves the internal alpha-1,4 glycosidic bonds, producing maltose and other small glucose-containing pieces. Diastase is an older name for alpha-amylase, so mentioning both reflects the same enzyme activity responsible for depolymerizing glycogen. This initial action releases maltose, which can then be converted to glucose by maltase if further digestion is considered. The other enzyme pairs don’t initiate glycogen breakdown: proteases and lipases target proteins and fats, lactase and sucrase act on lactose and sucrose, and maltase and isomaltase act on maltose and isomaltose rather than starting the depolymerization of the glycogen polymer itself.