When the enzyme lactase binds to the disaccharide lactose, its active sites cleave lactose into its two constituent sugars: glucose and galactose. Glucose and galactose are then free to be absorbed through the intestinal epithelial cells and transported into the bloodstream.

Can lactase react with any other sugar?

For example, the sugar found in milk is called lactose. With the aid of the enzyme, lactase, the substrate, lactose, is broken down into two products, glucose and galactose. ... Therefore, enzymes are specific to particular substrates, and will not work on others with different configurations.

What sugar does lactase break down?

Normally, when we eat something containing lactose, an enzyme in the small intestine called lactase breaks it down into simpler sugar forms called glucose and galactose. These simple sugars are then absorbed into the bloodstream and turned into energy.