Question

Which two simple sugars make up a molecule of lactise ? Where in the digestive system are these sugars absorbed?

Answer 1

The sugar lactose is a type of disaccharide. Disaccharides are made up of two simple monosaccharide molecules. In this case, glucose and galactose which are monosaccharides, join together by forming glycosidic bond creating lactose.

The cells of the small intestine of our body is capable of producing the lactose degrading enzyme known as lactase. This lactase breaks down the glycosidic bond and separates the glucose and galactose i.e breaks down lactose. After breaking down the disaccharide, the small intestine can absorb the monosaccharides( glucose and galactose).