Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Dr. Kumar has discovered an enzyme that catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose. What is the most appropriate name for this enzyme according to standard enzyme nomenclature?
A
Amylase
B
Protease
C
Lipase
D
Lactase
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the problem: The enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into glucose and galactose. This means the enzyme specifically acts on lactose, a disaccharide sugar.
Recall standard enzyme nomenclature: Enzymes are typically named based on the substrate they act upon and the type of reaction they catalyze. The suffix '-ase' is commonly used for enzymes.
Identify the substrate: The substrate in this case is lactose, a carbohydrate. The enzyme should therefore have a name that reflects its action on lactose.
Match the enzyme name to the substrate: Among the options provided, 'Lactase' is the most appropriate name because it directly indicates the enzyme acts on lactose.
Confirm the reasoning: The other options (Amylase, Protease, Lipase) are incorrect because they refer to enzymes that act on starch, proteins, and lipids, respectively, which are unrelated to lactose hydrolysis.