BSC 2010C Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Lactose Intolerance, Lactase, Glycosidic Bond
Document Summary
Lactase is an enzyme produced in the small intestine that breaks down lactose, a disaccharide found in milk and dairy products, into its component monosaccharides, glucose, and galactose. Lactase is a type of hydrolase enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into its constituent sugars by breaking the glycosidic bond between glucose and galactose. Lactase deficiency, also known as lactose intolerance, is a condition in which individuals lack the ability to produce sufficient amounts of lactase, resulting in the inability to digest lactose. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, diarrhea, and gas after consuming dairy products. Lactase is critical for newborn mammals to be able to digest lactose found in their mother"s milk. However, as mammals mature, the production of lactase decreases, and some individuals may lose the ability to produce lactase altogether, resulting in lactose intolerance.
