Which enzyme breaks down sucrose?

Sucrase is the enzyme specifically responsible for breaking down sucrose, which is a disaccharide sugar composed of glucose and fructose. When sucrase acts on sucrose, it cleaves the bond between the two monosaccharides, resulting in the formation of glucose and fructose, which can then be absorbed into the bloodstream for energy use by the body.

Understanding the role of sucrase is crucial in the context of carbohydrate digestion, as it highlights how the body processes different types of sugars. Other enzymes mentioned, such as maltase and lactase, have specific functions in breaking down different disaccharides; maltase acts on maltose, while lactase acts on lactose. Amylase, on the other hand, is primarily involved in breaking down starches into simpler sugars but does not act on sucrose. Thus, the function of sucrase is unique in that it specifically targets sucrose for breakdown into its constituent sugars.