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Multiple Choice
People who are lactose intolerant cannot extract energy from milk because ________.
A
they cannot absorb any nutrients from the small intestine
B
they have an overactive immune response to milk proteins
C
they produce excess insulin in response to milk sugars
D
they lack the enzyme lactase needed to break down lactose
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the problem: Lactose intolerance is a condition where individuals cannot properly digest lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. The question asks why this happens.
Recall the biological concept: Lactose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and galactose. To digest lactose, the enzyme lactase is required to break it down into these two monosaccharides, which can then be absorbed by the small intestine.
Identify the issue in lactose-intolerant individuals: People who are lactose intolerant lack sufficient levels of the enzyme lactase. Without lactase, lactose cannot be broken down into glucose and galactose, and thus cannot be absorbed for energy extraction.
Eliminate incorrect options: (1) Lactose intolerance does not prevent the absorption of all nutrients from the small intestine, only lactose. (2) It is not caused by an immune response to milk proteins, as this describes a milk allergy, not lactose intolerance. (3) Excess insulin production is unrelated to lactose digestion.
Conclude the correct answer: The correct explanation is that lactose-intolerant individuals lack the enzyme lactase needed to break down lactose into absorbable sugars.