Some individuals are lactose intolerant and cannot digest lactose properly. Which of the following biomolecule types are these individuals having trouble breaking down?

Question

Some individuals are lactose intolerant and cannot digest lactose properly.  Which of the following biomolecule types are these individuals having trouble breaking down?

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

The question asks which biomolecule types lactose-intolerant individuals struggle to break down. 
Option presented: 'dissacharides' (intended to be disaccharides). 
Explanation for the correct choice: Lactose is a disaccharide, composed of glucose and galactose linked by a beta-1,4-glycosidic bond. People with lactose intolerance have reduced or absent lactase enzyme, which is responsible for hydrolyzing disaccharides into monosaccharides that can be absorbed. Therefore, the general category of disaccharides is the right target of the digestion trouble in lactose intolerance. 
Why this aligns with biology: disaccharides require specific brush-border enzymes to be cleaved into monosaccharides before absorption in the small intestine, and lactase is the enzyme for lactose specifically. 
Why this option is the best (and essentially the only) choice: since the problem is about breaking down lactose, the relevant biomolecule type is disaccharides. There are other biomolecule classes (polysaccharides, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids), but lactose intolerance pertains to sugar digestion, specifically disaccharides, not the broader or different categories. 
Note on spelling: the option uses 'dissacharides' which is a common misspelling of 'disaccharides'; the scientific concept remains the same—the issue lies with disaccharide digestion, not monosaccharides or other biomolecules. 
If we were to consider alternatives (not provided here), broader categories like 'carbohydrates' would be too general, since many carbohydrates are digested differently, while disaccharides specifically require disaccharidases like lactase.

BIO 112-Intro. Human Physiology-861, 862, 863 Quiz 1

Some individuals are lactose intolerant and cannot digest lactose properly. Which of the following biomolecule types are these individuals having trouble breaking down?

View Explanation

Log in for full answers

Similar Questions

What type of nutrient is starch?

Which macronutrient provides most of the energy required for moderate- and high-intensity activities?

Which of the following would be classified as a simple carbohydrate?

Which statement about carbohydrates is correct?

Sucrose is

Which class of biomolecules can play a structural role or serve as an immediate source of energy in a cell?

This question has been regraded. Select all that apply Hydrocarbons can be found as the basis of which molecules:

Starches and sugars both belong to the group of compounds called carbohydrates.

More Practical Tools for Students Powered by AI Study Helper

Homework AI Solver

Stylized AI Paper Writer

Plagiarism Checker Assistant

Citation AI Academic Writing Tool

In-Class Translation Assistant

AI Note Generator

AI Quiz Answers

Past Exam Questions from University Test Bank

Smart Practice Assistant

Adaptive Practice

Making Your Study Simpler