Lactase

Question 1

What does lactase do?

Answer 1

Is an enzyme that breaks down the sugar name “lactose”

Question 2

What type of sugar is lactose?

Answer 2

A disaccharide (meaning it is made up of 2 sugar molecules attached to each other)

Question 3

When lactase breaks down lactose, what does it turn into?

Answer 3

galactose and glucose (2 separate sugar molecules)

Question 4

what is lactose persistence?

Answer 4

when an individual DOES have a mutation in the area before the lactase gene –> this mutation keeps the lactase producing gene ACTIVE –> the body produces lactase –> the person can tolerate lactose products like milk and cheese because their body is able to create enough lactase to digest lactose

Question 5

what is lactose intolerance?

Answer 5

when an individual is not able to produce the lactase gene because the gene is silenced and is not as active