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Lactase persistence in adults allows them to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk. This trait is significant because it enables individuals to continue consuming dairy products without experiencing digestive issues. This adaptation is common in populations with a history of dairy farming and consumption, providing a nutritional advantage.

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8mo ago

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Why is lactose tolerance also called lactase persistence?

Lactose tolerance is referred to as lactase persistence because it describes the continued production of lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, into adulthood. In many mammals, lactase production decreases after weaning, leading to lactose intolerance. However, in certain human populations, genetic adaptations allow for sustained lactase production, enabling these individuals to digest lactose throughout their lives. This genetic trait is termed lactase persistence, highlighting the ongoing ability to process lactose effectively.


Is lactase heterogeneous?

Yes, lactase can be considered heterogeneous because it is an enzyme that varies in its expression levels and activity between different individuals. Some people have lactase persistence, allowing them to digest lactose effectively, while others have lactase non-persistence, which leads to lactose intolerance. This heterogeneity results from genetic differences and environmental factors.


What the hypothesis on lactose intolerant?

The hypothesis on lactose intolerance suggests that individuals with this condition have a decreased ability to digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products, due to a deficiency of lactase, the enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose. This leads to gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, diarrhea, and gas when lactose is consumed. Genetic factors play a significant role, with certain populations having evolved lactase persistence, allowing them to digest lactose into adulthood, while others exhibit lactase non-persistence, resulting in lactose intolerance.


What normally happens to the levels of lactase produced throughout a persons lifetime?

Lactase production typically declines after weaning, as many individuals lose the ability to digest lactose in adulthood. This decrease varies among populations, with some maintaining higher lactase levels due to genetic adaptations linked to dairy consumption. In lactose-intolerant individuals, lactase levels drop significantly, leading to difficulties in digesting lactose found in dairy products. Conversely, those with lactase persistence continue to produce the enzyme into adulthood, allowing them to digest lactose without issues.


What is the difference between lactose persistent and lactose intolerant?

Lactose persistence refers to the continued production of lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, into adulthood, allowing some individuals to consume dairy without issues. In contrast, lactose intolerance occurs when individuals have a reduced ability to digest lactose due to decreased lactase production, leading to digestive symptoms after consuming dairy products. This genetic variation is more common in certain populations, with lactose persistence being prevalent in those with a history of dairy farming.


Does lactose intolerance result from a mutation in the gene that codes for lactase enzyme?

Yes, lactose intolerance can result from mutations in the gene that codes for the lactase enzyme, specifically the LCT gene. These mutations can lead to a decrease in lactase production after weaning, causing individuals to have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar found in milk. In many populations, this decline in lactase production is a normal evolutionary adaptation, while in others, mutations that promote lactase persistence allow for continued digestion of lactose into adulthood.


What percentage of the worlds population suffers from lactose intolerance?

Most mammals normally cease to produce lactase, (and become lactose intolerant), after weaning. However, some human populations have developed lactase persistence (and therefore can eat dairy after adulthood). This said, research reveals intolerance to be more common globally than lactase persistence. The frequency of lactose intolerance ranges from 5% in Northern European to more than 90% in some African and Asian countries. That would mean that 95% of people form European stock and 10% of people from African and Asian stock are "not lactose intolerant".


For most of the worlds population what is the effect of aging on the activity of lactase?

As people age, their bodies often produce less lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose found in dairy products. This can lead to lactose intolerance, causing symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhea when consuming dairy. However, lactase persistence, where the enzyme continues to be produced into adulthood, is more common in some populations.


Whats the function of the lactase substrate?

The function of the lactase substrate is to be acted upon by the enzyme lactase. Lactase breaks down lactose, the primary sugar found in milk, into its two component sugars, glucose and galactose, which can then be absorbed by the body for energy.


People with lactose intolerance produce insufficient amounts of?

the enzyme, lactase


What do you call the Enzyme that breaks down dairy sugar?

lactase


What lack of enzyme cause lactose intolerance?

The enzyme which the body uses to digest lactose is lactase.