lactase
Splits milk sugar
Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose, the sugar found in milk.
Most mammals produce lactase as infants but stop after weaning; humans who continue producing it into adulthood can digest dairy without discomfort.
Those who don't produce enough lactase are lactose intolerant: I take lactase supplements before eating ice cream.
Water-induced bond cleavage
- catalystAgent enabling change
- biocatalystOrganic reaction accelerator
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
- proteinFolded amino chain
polypeptide · beta-galactosidase · kinetics · cofactor · denaturation · sucrase · maltase · inducer
Primary cellular fuel
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
- mucosaMoist organ lining
villi · microvilli · carbohydrates · chyme · gut · breakdown · disaccharide · monosaccharide
Gene variant at one locus
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
- genotypeOrganism's complete allele set
phenotype · adaptation · heritability · dominant · recessive · evolution · ancestral · pastoralism
Failed intestinal nutrient uptake
- bloatingSwollen, expanded state
- diarrheaFrequent liquid bowel movements
- flatulenceIntestinal gas accumulation
- crampsInvoluntary muscle tightening
nausea · symptoms · congenital · gastroenteritis · celiac · dairy-free · threshold · sensitivity
hydrolysis
Water-induced bond cleavage
- catalystAgent enabling change
- biocatalystOrganic reaction accelerator
- substrateUnderlying supporting material
protein · polypeptide · beta-galactosidase · kinetics · cofactor · denaturation · sucrase · maltase · inducer · beano
glucose
Primary cellular fuel
- absorptionProcess of taking in
- hydrolysisWater-induced bond cleavage
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
mucosa · villi · microvilli · carbohydrates · chyme · gut · breakdown · disaccharide · monosaccharide
allele
Gene variant at one locus
- mutationPermanent DNA alteration
- polymorphismMany forms, one interface
- inheritanceProperty received from ancestors
genotype · phenotype · adaptation · heritability · dominant · recessive · evolution · ancestral · pastoralism
malabsorption
Failed intestinal nutrient uptake
- bloatingSwollen, expanded state
- diarrheaFrequent liquid bowel movements
- flatulenceIntestinal gas accumulation
cramps · nausea · symptoms · congenital · gastroenteritis · celiac · dairy-free · threshold · sensitivity
- glycosidasesglycoside hydrolase, alpha-glucosidase, beta-glucosidase, maltase, sucrase
- dairymilk, butter, cream, cheese, yogurt
- digestionstomach acid, swallowing, digesting, chewing, digestion
- digestive aidsantacids, laxatives, probiotics, stool softener, gas relief
- gas remediesGas-X, Beano, Mylanta, activated charcoal, antacids
- catalystsenzyme, catalyst, active site, platinum, coenzyme
- lactation stationRoom for breastfeeding mothers
- lactation roomSpace for breastfeeding mothers
- lactation supportHelp with nursing infants
- lactation consultantsSpecialists in infant nursing