Question

Lactose is a carbohydrate found in milk. The enzyme lactase, made of amino acids, is needed to catalyze the reaction of breaking down lactose in the small intestines. Which statement best describes the difference between reactions with and without enzymes?

A) The enzyme lactase will speed up the breakdown of lactose in the small intestines.
B) The enzyme lactase will slow down the breakdown of lactose in the small intestines.
C) The breakdown of lactose is independent of the presence of enzymes.
D) The breakdown of lactose is more efficient without enzymes.

Answer 1

The correct statement is A) The enzyme lactase will speed up the breakdown of lactose in the small intestines. Enzymes increase the rate of reactions, making the digestion of carbohydrates such as lactose more efficient by breaking them down into absorbable sugars like glucose and galactose.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that best describes the difference between reactions with and without enzymes is: A) The enzyme lactase will speed up the breakdown of lactose in the small intestines. Enzymes, like lactase, act as biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. In the absence of the enzyme lactase, the carbohydrate lactose cannot be efficiently broken down, leading to symptoms of lactose intolerance in individuals who do not produce sufficient lactase. When lactase is present, it facilitates the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose, which can then be absorbed by the small intestine.

Carbohydrate digestion is dependent on several enzymes, each specific to the type of carbohydrate. Sucrase breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, while lactase is responsible for the digestion of lactose. Hydrolysis reactions catalyzed by these enzymes are crucial for the efficient breakdown of carbohydrates into monosaccharides, which are then available for absorption and use in metabolic pathways to provide energy for cellular activities.