What enzyme is responsible for breaking down lactose?

Lactase is the enzyme specifically responsible for breaking down lactose, which is a disaccharide sugar found in milk and dairy products. This enzyme catalyzes the hydrolysis of lactose into its two monosaccharide components: glucose and galactose. Individuals who have low levels of lactase may experience lactose intolerance, leading to digestive discomfort when consuming dairy products.

Maltase, on the other hand, is responsible for hydrolyzing maltose into two glucose molecules. Sucrase breaks down sucrose into glucose and fructose, while amylase acts on starches, breaking them down into simpler sugars. Each of these enzymes has a specific substrate, but none of them can effectively break down lactose like lactase does, which underscores the importance of lactase in the digestion of lactose-containing foods.