Why does lactase work best at a specific temperature?

Why does lactase work best at a specific temperature?

My data shows that heat speeds up the reaction rate of lactase activity as it breaks the glycosidic bond in the double-sugar, lactose, resulting in the two single-sugars of glucose and galactose. So by definition, 125 to 135 degrees F is the “optimum temperature” (range) for lactase activity.

How does temperature affect lactase activity?

Cooler temperatures slow the rate of lactase’s function, while at extremely high temperatures — those above 135 degrees Fahrenheit, for example — lactase can become denatured, or lose its shape. A protein’s shape is responsible for its function, so when it becomes denatured, lactase loses its ability to function.

Why does lactase work best at pH 7?

Trial Two. We predict that lactase will function best at a pH between 6 and 7 because we think lactase is located in the small intestine. We believe this is its location because of the bloating and cramps people feel in their abdomen when they are lactose-intolerant.

Why your results of the optimal temperature of the lactase enzyme make sense for the human enzyme?

The optimal temperature makes sense for human enzymes because human body temperature is just below $)C. At the optimal temperature or the average human body temperature the structure of a protein is not denatured.

Why is lactose The specific substrate for lactase?

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.

Why does lactase work best at 37 degrees Celsius?

Most enzyme functions are performed at 37∘C in humans because the enzymes are able to retain its structure at that temperature, allowing it to break down complex molecules efficiently.

How does temperature affect lactose hydrolysis?

Higher temperatures increase the rate of the hydrolysis reaction, but also increase the rate of thermal deactivation of the enzyme. Based on the estimated thermal deactivation rate constants, at an operating temperature of 40 degrees C, 10% of the enzyme activity would be lost in one year.

What temperature does lactase work best at?

The optimum temperature for human lactase is about 37 °C and the optimum pH is 6. In metabolism, the β-glycosidic bond in D-lactose is hydrolyzed to form D-galactose and D-glucose, which can be absorbed through the intestinal walls and into the bloodstream.

At what pH is lactase most effective?

The graph shows that the optimal pH for enzymatic activity of lactase is pH 8.0.

What is the optimal temperature for lactase?

The optimal process conditions for this lactase (35-40°C, pH 6.6-6.8) are close to the natural temperature and pH of milk.

What happens when an enzyme reaches its optimum temperature?

At the optimum temperature, the kinetic energy in the substrate and enzyme molecules is ideal for the maximum number of collisions. At high temperatures the shape of the enzyme is altered so that it is no longer complementary to its specific substrate.