Lactase Enzyme

Activity with Data

Analysis
Simulation at jondarkow.com

Pre-Lab

1. Define the following and explain how each relates to the lactase chemical reaction.
➔ Enzyme
- A biological catalyst, usually a protein, that speeds up specific chemical reactions. In the
lactase reaction, lactase is the enzyme that breaks down lactose.

➔ Substrate
- The molecule on which an enzyme acts. In the lactase reaction, lactose is the substrate.

➔ Active site
- A specific region on the enzyme where the substrate binds and the reaction occurs. In
lactase, the active site is where lactose binds for breakdown.

➔ Rate of reaction
- The speed at which a chemical reaction occurs. The rate of the lactase reaction
determines how quickly lactose is converted to glucose and galactose.

➔ Activation Energy
- The energy required to start a chemical reaction. Lactase reduces the activation energy,
making it easier for lactose to be broken down into components.

2. What is the chemical reaction that lactase catalyzes?

Lactase catalyzes the chemical reaction that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in milk, into its simpler
components: glucose and galactose. This reaction is essential for the human body's absorption and
utilization of such sugars as a source of energy, allowing it to digest lactose.

3. Why would having the enzyme lactase as an adult be an evolutionary advantage?

In societies where dairy farming and consumption of milk and milk products are common, the ability to
produce lactase as an adult, known as lactase persistence, provides an evolutionary advantage. This
retention enables adults to keep eating milk, giving them another and more effective source of nutrition.
4. Explain how the structure of an enzyme relates to how well the function catalyzes chemical reactions.
An enzyme's structure has a crucial role to play in its catalytic activity. Enzymes are proteins having a
characteristic three-dimensional shape. The activity site in this shape is a region that has been
specifically configured to interact with the substrate. The structure of this enzyme, as well as its active
site shape, complements the substrate and ensures a suitable fit. This arrangement minimizes the
activation power necessary to initiate this reaction, thereby making it more effective.

Simulation Option 1: Temperature

1. Start with the initial lactose at 500 mg/dL and the pH at 7. Do not vary these parameters while testing
for temperature, they are environmental controls. The temperature is in degrees Celsius.
Be sure to show the instructor your method for calculating the rate of reaction for the first 3
minutes before going on. The units should be mg/dL glucose per minute.
Vary the temperature by 20oC. Run each experiment 5 times (for reliability in the results.) Record the rate
of reaction in the table below. The rate of reaction should be in mg/dL of glucose per minute.

0oC 20oC 40oC 60oC 80oC

Trial 1 0 141 251 18.9 0

Trial 2 0 167 271 20.9 0

Trial 3 0 95.5 217 13.6 0

Trial 4 0 159 229 16.9 0

Trial 5 0 186 223 17.6 0

Mean 0 149.7 238.2 17.58 0

Standard 0 34.33 22.38 2.69 0
Deviation

Standard Error of 0 15.35 10.01 1.20 0

the Mean (SEM)

2. On the axes provided, create an appropriately labeled graph to illustrate the sample means of the five
temperatures tested to within 95% confidence (i.e., the sample mean ± 2 SEM).
3. What are the results of the simulation? What is the optimal temperature? Is there statistical
significance? Explain.
In view of the highest mean value at this temperature, amounting to 238,2C, it would be suggested that
40C is best suited. In my analysis, I took account of the normal deviation as well as the mean error.
These indicators show the degree of variation in data points with respect to average values and give a
clearer indication as to whether our findings are correct.

4. Explain why your results of the optimal temperature of the lactase enzyme make sense for the human
enzyme? Explain the results in terms of the structure and function of proteins.
Proteins are made up of a number of structural configurations, which include enzymes such as lactase.
They have the most effective effect at their optimum temperature, which is about 40C for lactase. Since
the enzyme is almost close to human body temperature, approximately 37 C, it appears logical that an
enzyme would work best at this temperature. Excessive heat can distort enzymes' forms, causing them
to fail.

5. Propose an appropriate control treatment for the experiment, and describe how the control treatment
would increase the validity of the results.
It is important to include a lactose free control group in our experiments so as to be able to validate the
results. If changes are a result of temperature differences or other factors, that control group helps to
identify them. The comparison between the group and lactase without that enzyme allows us to attribute
differences in its presence. The control group provides a reference to allow for an independent
assessment of the effect of temperature on reaction.
6. Predict how milk digestion is affected in individuals that lack functional copies of the gene encoding
lactase. Justify your response.
Milk digestion takes place at a significantly slower pace for those who lack lactase because the enzyme
is not readily available to accelerate that process. Enzymes play a role in accelerating the reaction, but
milk digestion continues to slow down even if they are absent. This delay can be explained by the
absence of a catalyst to reduce activation energy and facilitate reaction.

Simulation Option 2: pH
1. Start with the initial lactose at 500 mg/dL and the temperature at 25 degrees Celsius. Do not vary
these parameters while testing for pH, they are environmental controls.
Be sure to show the instructor your method for calculating the rate of reaction for the first 3
minutes before going on. The units should be mg/dL glucose per minute.
Vary by a pH of 3. Run each experiment 5 times (for reliability in the results.) Record the rate of reaction
in the table below. The rate of reaction should be in mg/dL of glucose per minute.
pH 1 4 7 10 13

Trial 1 0 29.2 212 19.8 0.825

Trial 2 0 36.6 194 25 0.726

Trial 3 0 44.7 176 20.7 1.13

Trial 4 0 37.8 241 12.8 0.639

Trial 5 0 45.4 177 19.6 0.662

Mean 0 38.74 200 19.58 0.79

Standard 0 6.63 27.23 4.37 0.19
Deviation

Standard Error 0 2.96 12.17 1.95 0.08

of the Mean
(SEM)

2. On the axes provide, create an appropriately labeled graph to illustrate the sample means of
the five pH levels tested to within 95% confidence (i.e., sample mean ± 2 SEM).

3. What are the results of the simulation? What is the optimal pH? Is there statistical significance?
Explain.
The optimal level of pH is estimated to be around 7 based on the simulation results. That is apparent
from the highest average value we've been able to obtain, which was 200. This means that our subject is
performing exceptionally well in the 7 pH range.
4. Explain why your results of the optimal pH of the lactase enzyme make sense for the human enzyme?
Explain the results in terms of the structure and function of proteins.
The idea of lactase liking a pH as low as 7 is understandable due to the way enzymes work in our
bodies. Enzymes have specific geometry, identical to specialized workers, which correspond to the
substances they are working on. Lactase's enzymes, for example, are engaged in digestion of lactose.
Consideration must be given to the pH, which measures whether a solution is acidic or alkaline. The
ideal pH range for the enzymes is 7 that's neutral on the pH scale. The enzymes can perform at their
peak levels in the pH range because they have a perfectly aligned geometry. The form and function of
the enzyme are disrupted when the pH drifts to extremes, becoming too acidic or basic.

5. Propose an appropriate control treatment for the experiment, and describe how the control treatment
would increase the validity of the results.
It is necessary to include control treatment keeping the pH stable at 7 so that our results can be validated
by setting a standard against which they are compared. This will help to remove possible conflicting
variables and improve our precision and reliability when it comes to determining how pH level affects the
parameters in question.

6. Predict how the milk digestion is affected in individuals that lack functional copies of the gene
encoding lactase. Justify your response.
If the lactase gene doesn't function properly, it can cause a deficiency and an intolerance to lactams
which affects milk digestion in various ways: They're not breaking down lactose, leaving it undigested. In
the large intestine, undigested lactose fermenters, causing gas, bloat, and flatulence. Water may be
attracted to the undigested lactose, leading to diarrhea. The condition results in stomach discomfort,
including pain and cramps.

Yo Teachers:
I have two different simulations for the lactase enzyme:

Lactase with Data Analysis and Lactase with Variable Sample Size.
I started with the Lactase Enzyme Simulation. For this simulation, the units for lactose and
glucose are in mg/dL.

For the Variable Sample Size simulation, the units for lactose and glucose are in mM.

For more help and background information, including updates please visit my Patreon page
at patreon.com/jondarkow

References

Question 3-7 are adapted from The College Board. College Board, Advanced Placement

Program, AP, AP Central, and the acorn logo are registered trademarks of the College Board.

Visit the College Board on the Web: www.collegeboard.org.