In this activity, students investigate the effect of the digestive enzyme lactase on a sugar found in milk called lactose. The digestive system condition known as lactose intolerance will also be looked at.

By the end of this activity, students should be able to:

  • explain the term ‘disaccharide’
  • discuss the structure of lactose and sucrose
  • describe the role that lactase plays in the digestion of lactose
  • define the term ‘enzyme specificity’
  • explain in simple terms the digestive condition known as ‘lactose intolerance’.

Download the Word file (see link below) for:

  • introduction/background notes
  • what you need
  • what to do
  • student worksheets.
    Published 1 July 2011 Referencing Hub articles
        Go to full glossary
        Download all