Question

Describe, in detail, how two molecules of lactose are hydrolysed, in turn, by one molecule of lactase. In your answer give the features that are typical of enzyme reactions.

Answer 1

Lactose is milk sugar; you consume it any time you drink milk or eat dairy products. To absorb its components and use them for energy, you digest it with lactase, an enzyme produced by your digestive tract. Lactase reacts with lactose, splitting it into two smaller sugar molecules that you can absorb.

LACTOSE

Lactose, or milk sugar, is very similar in chemical composition to sucrose, which is table sugar. The two actually have identical chemical formulas; they're both C12H22O11. Structural differences, while minor, make a significant difference in the taste and processing of the sugars, however. Sucrose is much sweeter than lactose. Additionally, you digest lactose and sucrose with different digestive enzymes.

Answer 2

Answer: Lactose collides with the lactase active site(s) with sufficient kinetic energy, it forms a substrate-enzyme complex following induced fit and therefore breaks the glycosidic bonds in the lactose molecules with the use of a water molecule as it is a hydrolysis reaction. These then break down into glucose and galactose, which can then be absorbed in the gut (ileum). 2 lactose molecules can be broken down by one molecule of lactase becuase lactase has 2 binding sites.

Explanation:

the question is asking more about the process of enzymes breaking down the substrate rather then how two molecules are broken down by one enzyme molecule