Understanding gene regulation and lactose intolerance
This unit will introduce students to lactose intolerance. Students will develop questions about a case of a girl with symptoms of stomach pains, gas, and diarrhea. Throughout the unit, students will analyze pieces of evidence to answer their questions and eventually come to understand the mechanism of lactose intolerance.
Looking into Lactase is an activity developed by Learning Undefeated for the exploration of enzymatic activity by investigating the mechanism behind lactose intolerance.
Lactase d eficiency, also known as lactose intolerance, is a condition caused by an absence of the enzyme lactase, a digestive enzyme found in the human body. Since the human body can’t absorb lactose it needs to be broken down by lactase into its two monosaccharide products, glucose and galactose. Like most other enzymes, lactase is specific to just one substrate, in this case, the sugar lactose. Those who are lactose intolerant seek treatment through medications that contain lactase as an active ingredient.
Enzymes are proteins that catalyze chemical reactions by lowering the reaction’s activation energy. Every enzyme has an active site that binds to another molecule called the substrate. Once bound to the substrate, an enzyme can catalyze a reaction up to 10 billion times faster than the comparable, non-catalyzed reaction. Enzymes are not consumed in the reaction and can bind to an infinite amount of substrates.
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Students investigate the enzyme lactase and use the enzyme to help them identify the sugars that are present in three milk samples: rice milk, soy milk, and cow’s milk.
Students explore the use of DNA profiling and gel electrophoresis, using restriction enzymes and agarose gel electrophoresis to create a genetic profile.
