Scenario: Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down a sugar found in dairy products known as lactose. Some people are lactose intolerant, and this can be due to not having enough lactase production. People who are lactose intolerant may not feel well after eating foods containing lactose.

Question

Identify enzyme:
Identify substrate:
Illustrate the Scenario (label enzyme and substrate in illustration):
Describe the relationship between the substrate and enzyme in the scenario:

Answer 1

Identify Enzyme:

Enzyme: Lactase

Identify Substrate:

Substrate: Lactose

Illustrate the Scenario:

Illustration Description:

(Imagine a simple diagram with the following elements)

1. Lactase molecule - depicted as a large, complex structure, can be represented as a lock.
2. Lactose molecule - depicted as a sugar structure, can be represented as a key.
3. Reaction - an arrow from the lactose to the lactase indicating the reaction that occurs when they come together.

[Lactose] (Key)           [Lactase] (Lock)
        \                     /
         \                   /
          \_________________/
                (Reaction)

Describe the Relationship between the Substrate and Enzyme in the Scenario:

In this scenario, the enzyme lactase serves as a biological catalyst that facilitates the breakdown of the substrate lactose, which is a disaccharide sugar found in dairy products. The relationship between lactase and lactose is a lock-and-key mechanism where the lactase enzyme fits perfectly with lactose to catalyze its hydrolysis into glucose and galactose.

In individuals with lactose intolerance, there is a deficiency of lactase production, leading to the inability to effectively break down lactose. As a result, lactose remains undigested in the gastrointestinal tract, causing symptoms such as bloating, gas, and discomfort after consuming dairy products. This illustrates how enzymes are crucial in biochemical reactions, and the lack of a specific enzyme can lead to health issues.