lactase
C1Technical / Scientific / Medical
Definition
Meaning
An enzyme produced in the small intestine that breaks down lactose (milk sugar) into glucose and galactose.
Also refers to the dietary supplement form of this enzyme used by individuals with lactose intolerance to aid digestion of dairy products.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is a compound of 'lact-' (from Latin 'lac', milk) and '-ase' (a suffix denoting enzymes). It is a specific, unambiguous scientific term.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or spelling. Pronunciation differs subtly (see IPA).
Connotations
Identical technical connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in medical and nutritional contexts in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[have/develop] a lactase deficiency[produce/secrete] lactase[take/use] a lactase [supplement/tablet]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A (scientific term not used idiomatically)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Found in marketing and packaging for digestive health supplements.
Academic
Common in biochemistry, genetics, nutrition, and medical research papers.
Everyday
Used in discussions about diet, lactose intolerance, and health.
Technical
Precise term in enzymology, gastroenterology, and evolutionary biology (e.g., lactase persistence).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A - Lactase is exclusively a noun.
American English
- N/A - Lactase is exclusively a noun.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No adverbial form.
American English
- N/A - No adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- N/A - No adjectival form. Use 'lactase-related' or 'lactase-producing'.
American English
- N/A - No adjectival form. Use 'lactase-related' or 'lactase-producing'.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Some people don't have enough lactase.
- This milk has lactase added.
- Lactase is an important enzyme for digesting milk.
- If you are lactose intolerant, you can take a lactase tablet before eating dairy.
- Lactase deficiency is the root cause of lactose intolerance.
- The evolution of lactase persistence in some populations is a fascinating example of recent human adaptation.
- The activity of the lactase enzyme declines after weaning in most mammals, including a large proportion of humans.
- Recent studies investigate the epigenetic regulation of lactase gene expression.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'LACTASE' is the 'ACE' enzyme that breaks down 'LACT'ose. You need this ace to win against milk sugar.
Conceptual Metaphor
KEY-LOCK METAPHOR: Lactase is the key that unlocks (digests) the lactose molecule.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'лактаза' (correct translation).
- Do not translate as 'лактоза' (lactose - the sugar, not the enzyme).
- The '-ase' ending always indicates an enzyme in English.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronouncing as /lækˈtɑːz/ or /ˈlæk.təz/.
- Confusing 'lactase' (enzyme) with 'lactose' (sugar).
- Misspelling as 'lactaze'.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of lactase?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Lactose is the sugar found in milk, while lactase is the enzyme that digests it.
Yes, lactase supplements can help digest lactose when taken with dairy, reducing symptoms for many people.
Yes, it is normally produced by cells lining the small intestine, especially in infancy.
It is a genetic trait where production of the lactase enzyme continues into adulthood, allowing digestion of lactose.