Galactosidase

/ɡəˌlæktɔˈsɪdeɪs/ noun

Definition

An enzyme that breaks down galactosides (compounds containing galactose) into smaller sugar molecules.

Etymology

From 'galactoside' (sugar compound) + '-ase' (suffix for enzymes), naming the enzyme that acts on galactose-containing molecules.

Kelly Says

Lactase is a type of galactosidase that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose—lactose-intolerant people lack this enzyme, which is why milk gives them problems even though they can handle the individual sugars separately.

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