Download Lactose/Lactase Lab - Virtual Homeschool Group

Moore, Timothy
Moore, Timothy
Instructor: Mrs. Tammy Moore
Class: VHSG Online Biology
15 September, 2009
Lactose/Lactase Lab
Lactase enzyme’s breakdown of lactose
Abstract
Lactose intolerance is a problem for many people. Lactase breaks this disaccharide down into two easy
to digest mono-saccharides making milk products digestible for these people.
Introduction
Lactose intolerance causes many uncomfortable symptoms when milk is ingested […in the
introduction you are introducing your reader to the topics that you are exploring. I recommend
explaining lactose intolerance a bit and how it leads to problems for people with this condition. Explain
that the purpose of your lab is to test to see if the enzyme is effective at breaking down the disaccharide
and what impact of flavor occurs. Remember that lactose is a disaccharide and that if it gets broken
down by the enzyme it will produce glucose and galactose – both are mono-saccharides. The glucose
you will be able to test for with your glucose test strips. If the levels of glucose rise, then the enzyme
did its job at least to a degree. ]
Methods and Observations
Materials

Milk

Diabetic test strips (prescription free but you may need to ask pharmacist for them)

Lastase tablets (available in the pharmacy area. DairyEase is one brand)

Tools to crush the tablets (hammer and ziplock bag for instance)

Two glasses (one for regular milk and one for the lactase treated milk)
Moore, Timothy
First, I crushed the lactase tablet so that it would dissolve more readily in the milk. I then added the
powder to one glass of milk and waited 15 minutes to allow the enzyme to break down the lactose.
I then tested for the amount of glucose present which would indicate if the enzyme performed its
action.
Data
The test strips showed [indicate what the test strip showed in regular milk which is your control
and in the treated milk.]
Conclusion
The lactase […insert your conclusion here.]