Question

a. Could sucrase be used to break down another disaccharide, such as lactose? Explain your reasoning.

b. Could sucrase be used to break down a polysaccharide, such as cellulose? Explain your reasoning.

c.      Explain two factors that could cause sucrase to denature.

Answer 1

Solution:-

A) & B) Sucrase can be used to break down another disaccharide,such as lactose and sucrase can be used to break down a polysaccharide ,such as cellulose can be explained because Sucrase has the ending (ase), these enzymes will break down disaccharides like sucrose into glucose and fructose. Glucose and fructose are monosaccharides. On monosaccharides can be absorbed. Sucrase can only act on sucrose which is a disaccharide it cannot bind to other disaccharides like lactose or polysaccharides like cellulose. This is because the enzyme sucrase will not fit into the substrate binding sites on lactose or cellulose to break it down. The sucrase structure is completely different and is not compatible with the lactose and cellulose substrate binding site. But it is compatible to go and fit into the sucrose binding site to breakdown sucrose. Its the structure of the enzyme sucrase that makes it incompatible to lactose and cellulose.

C) Two factors that could cause sucrase to denature are:-

1. If a strong acid or base is added to an sucrace, it loses structure.

2. If the liquid that contains the sucrase is heated to 60 degrees Celsius or higher, denaturation will occur.