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Lactose Intolerance

  • /
  • SL Core /
  • Molecular biology: Activities for Learning/
  • Lactose Intolerance

What is lactose intolerance and how can biology help those who are lactose intolerant?  Students investigate the commercial uses of enzymes and in particular how the use of lactase in food production can help people who are lactose intolerant. A compilation of video clips explains the main issues and a data analysis activity coupled with some research complements the video introduction.

Lesson Description

Guiding Question

Milk contains the sugar lactose. Which enzyme will be needed to digest this milk?

What would happen to the population of intestine bacteria if the lactose could not be digested but remained in the intestines?

Activity 1 - What is Lactose intolerance?

Watch this short compilation of videos to learn a little about lactose intolerance and how enzymes can help.


Watch the whole video - 3 mins 30

  Intro to lactose intolerance


Watch up to 1 min 42 secs

  Lactase gene mutations


Watch the whole video - 2 mins

  Making lactose free Rhino milk

Review questions - to think about while watching the videos.

  • What are the two monosaccharide sugars in lactose?
     
  • What is the name of the enzyme which can break them down?
     
  • Where is this enzyme normally found in the body?
     
  • What is an immobilized enzyme?
     
  • How can immobilized enzymes be used to produce lactose free milk?
     
  • How can we produce Rhino milk (which is lactose free) without using immobilized enzymes?
     
  • What genetic cause has given many humans the ability to digest lactose when adult?
     
  • What is lactose intolerance?
     
  • What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?

Activity 2: Activity on the biochemistry of Lactose Intolerance

Complete the activities on the Lactose intolerance worksheet below to explore the consequences of lactose intolerance.

Teachers notes

This is a simple activity where students first watch a few short video clips and then using a worksheet consider what it is like to be lactose intolerant, answering questions about the structure of lactose and the use of immobilised enzymes to make lactose free products.

There is a really nice explanation of lactose and the gene mutation in human history from
The Evolution of Lactose Tolerance — HHMI BioInteractive Video

It includes this map or the global distribution of lactose tolerance (lactase persistence) which is a nice opportunity to explore international perspectives (International mindedness)