Problem 114 - Objective Biology for NEET

Question

Action of which enzyme produces only glucose? (a) Maltase (b) Lactase (c) Sucrase (d) All of these

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The enzyme which produces only glucose is Maltase.

Step 1: Understanding the Enzymes

Each of the enzymes listed breaks down a specific sugar. Maltase acts on maltose to produce glucose. Lactase breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose. Sucrase acts on sucrose to produce glucose and fructose.

Step 2: Identifying the Correct Enzyme

From the information in the first step, it can be deduced that the enzyme which only produces glucose and no other type of sugar is Maltase. Therefore, Maltase (option a) is the answer.

Key Concepts

Maltase Enzyme

The maltase enzyme plays a crucial role in digesting carbohydrates, specifically by breaking down maltose, a disaccharide sugar, into two glucose molecules. When you consume foods like barley, certain cereals, and germinating grains, your body uses maltase to convert the maltose in these foods into glucose, which is a primary source of energy for your body. The action of maltase is highly specific – it only targets maltose and works optimally at a certain pH and temperature, common characteristics of enzymes due to their protein nature. Therefore, when asked which enzyme produces only glucose, maltase is the correct answer.

Lactase Enzyme

Lactase is another enzyme critical to the digestive process, particularly in the breakdown of lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Unlike maltase, lactase cleaves lactose into two different simple sugars: glucose and galactose. This action is essential, especially for infants who rely heavily on milk as their primary source of nutrition. Individuals who lack sufficient levels of lactase experience lactose intolerance, leading to discomfort when consuming dairy. While lactase does produce glucose, it also generates galactose, so it does not solely produce glucose.

Sucrase Enzyme

Sucrase works similarly to lactase but targets sucrose, commonly known as table sugar. Found in many sweets and fruits, sucrose is a disaccharide composed of glucose and fructose. The sucrase enzyme splits sucrose into these two monosaccharides, which are then readily absorbed into the bloodstream. This enzyme is vital for the metabolism of sugars that you consume daily. While the action of sucrase results in the production of glucose, it also produces fructose; thus, it, like lactase, does not exclusively yield glucose.

Metabolism of Sugars

The metabolism of sugars involves a series of biochemical processes by which various sugars are broken down to produce energy in the form of ATP. Enzymes like maltase, lactase, and sucrase are instrumental in the initial steps of sugar metabolism, specifically in hydrolyzing disaccharides into monosaccharides. These monosaccharides, particularly glucose, are then further processed through pathways such as glycolysis and the citric acid cycle. The end products are energy, water, and carbon dioxide, demonstrating just how efficiently the body utilizes these sugar enzymes for energy generation and overall metabolism.