Grades 5 & 6
Kit Pick up: Monday, May 11th
In this laboratory, students will learn the interesting combination of genetics and culture that led to lactase persistence - the ability to digest lactose in milk - in humans. Next, they will build a “bioreactor” where the enzyme lactase can be used to remove lactose from milk, as is done in industry to produce some lactose free products.
Students will:
- create enzyme "beads" using sodium alginate and use them in a "bioreactor";
- observe the enzyme-substrate reaction of lactase and lactose;
- understand the genetics behind lactase production and lactose intolerance; and
- test for the product of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction to demonstrate enzyme efficiency
