Investigating Lactose Intolerance
kit #802
Students are first introduced to lactose-intolerance and its cause. Next, they work in pairs to test whole milk and lactose-free milk for the presence of glucose. They find that glucose is present in lactose-free milk but is not present in whole milk. They then add lactase to the whole milk, retest it for glucose, and discover that it now contains glucose.
Key Vocabulary: Control, Enzyme, Glucose, Lactase, Lactose, Lactose intolerance
- Enzymes, such as lactase that breaks down lactose (into glucose and galactose), are essential to life processes.
- Lactose needs to be broken down in order to be digested by humans.
- Individuals who lack certain enzymes can experience uncomfortable and/or dangerous symptoms.
- Controls are essential components of the scientific process.
Content List in Investigating Lactose Intolerance is as follows:
| Quantity | Description |
|---|---|
| 96 | Glucose test strips |
| 32 | Tasting cups |
| 16 | Well plates |
| 16 | Droppers |
| 4 | 15-mL bottles of glucose test solution |
| 4 | 15-mL bottles of water (shipped empty) |
| 4 | 15-mL bottles of lactase solution (shipped as powder) |
| 32 | Student Worksheet and Guides |
| 1 | Teacher's Guide |
| 1 | Safety Data Sheet packet |
- Number of Students
- 32
- Number of Groups
- maximum 16 per period
Requires one to two ~50 minute class periods
