Status message
Apply today for the HHMI BioInteractive Ambassador Academy! The Academy is a multi-year professional development experience designed to support evidence-based teaching practices. We’re looking for educators with diverse backgrounds and teaching contexts who are committed to centering equity in their classrooms.Lactose Digestion in Infants
Topic
Resource Type
Duration
00:00:53Used In
1 BioInteractive Playlists
Saved By
22 Members
Description
This animation shows how human infants can digest milk using the enzyme lactase.
Milk is rich in the sugar lactose, which cannot be directly absorbed in the small intestine. To digest lactose, infant mammals produce the enzyme lactase. The animation illustrates how lactase breaks down lactose into two simple sugars, glucose and galactose, that can be absorbed more easily.
Depending on students’ background, it may be helpful to pause the animation at various points to discuss different molecules.
Key Terms
baby, dairy, disaccharide, enzyme, hydrolysis, lactase, milk, sugar, small intestine
Terms of Use
Please see the Terms of Use for information on how this resource can be used.
Accessibility Level (WCAG compliance)
Video files meet criteria.
Version History
Date Published
Date Updated