lactase
noun
lacĀ·tase
| \ Ėlak-ĖtÄs
, -ĖtÄz\
, -ĖtÄz\
Definition of lactase
: an enzyme that hydrolyzes beta-galactosides (such as lactose) and occurs especially in the intestines of young mammals and in yeasts
Examples of lactase in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
More than 90% of Chinaās population is deficient in lactase, the enzyme that breaks down the milk sugar lactose in the gut, per a 1984 study. — Eamon Barrett, Fortune, "How Oatly Plans to Quench Chinaās Thirst for Milk," 23 July 2019 June 12, 201700:59 Lactose is a naturally occurring sugar in milk that can cause digestive issues like gas and bloating for people who lack the enzyme (lactase) to digest it. — NBC News, "Dr. Fernstrom: What's the best milk alternative for YOUR lifestyle?," 17 July 2019 The spread of that culture had the effect of spreading the lactase persistence gene. — Quanta Magazine, "Finding the Actions That Alter Evolution," 5 Jan. 2017 Drinking milk after your lactase gene is turned off is no fun. — Bob Gathany, AL.com, "Up in the air at the Huntsville Community Kite Festival," 4 Mar. 2018 Famous enzymes include lactase, which breaks down milk sugars in those who are lactose tolerant. — Ian Haydon, Scientific American, "Enzymes versus Nerve Agents: Designing Antidotes for Chemical Weapons," 11 Apr. 2017 However, once the infants are weaned, the lactase-producing gene is turned off. — Bob Gathany, AL.com, "Up in the air at the Huntsville Community Kite Festival," 4 Mar. 2018 During fermentation, bacteria break down milk sugars including lactase, turning them into acids and easing digestion for those with lactose intolerance. — Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian, "How Cheese, Wheat and Alcohol Shaped Human Evolution," 7 May 2016 To digest lactose requires an enzyme called lactase, which infants of all mammals produce. — Bob Gathany, AL.com, "Up in the air at the Huntsville Community Kite Festival," 4 Mar. 2018These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lactase.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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