Question

Lactase is an enzyme composed of a single polypeptide that hydrolyzes the disaccharide lactose to produce monosaccharides. The optimal ph for lactase activity is 6. Transfer of lactase to ph 5 results in a substantial decrease in enzyme activity, likely due to the disruption of

Answer 1

Answer;

-The secondary and tertiary structure of the enzyme.

Explanation;

-Lactase is an enzyme that is found in the small intestine, liver, and kidney of mammals. In the presence of lactase, lactose is cleaved and reduced to its subunits D-galactose and D-glucose, monosaccharides that can eventually be utilized as a source of energy in cells.

-At extremely low pH, molecules move so slowly that reaction rates can be hampered even though the enzyme is still properly folded and active. At extremely high pH, bonds and interactions that exist between the amino acid side chains (R groups) in an enzyme become disrupted. The result is that the enzyme is incapable of maintaining its shape, and therefore unfolds, becoming inactive.