Lesson Plans

Return to Lesson Plan Index
Printer Friendly Version

A Comparative Study of Lactase and Lactase Supplements

Grades: 10
Author: Dori L. Hess
Source: This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. EEC-1161732. This lesson was developed based on an online report that different lactase supplements have different activity (https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/lactose-free-milk_lactase-enzyme-supplement-review/lactose-intolerance/). The demonstration of enzyme specificity using lactase to break down lactose is a common biology lab, an example can be found here (http://www.learnnc.org/lp/pages/3398). This lesson expands on this basic property of lactase to compare the effectiveness of different lactase supplements.

Abstract

Lactose intolerance is the number one known enzyme deficiency, with over 70% of the worlds (adult) population affected. According to the Encyclopedia of Children’s Health (http://www.healthofchildren.com/C/Carbohydrate-Intolerance.html) there are 30 to 50 million Americans who suffer from Lactose Intolerance. In this lesson, students will conduct a comparative study to examine the effectiveness of Lactase supplements versus pure Lactase? The lesson is presented as an inquiry lesson, but the attached worksheet provides guided instructions.

Objectives

What should students know as a result of this lesson?

How enzymes work
Why enzymes are essential in everyday life
How enzymes function in the human body and allow us to maintain homeostasis

What should the students be able to do as a result of this lesson?

Identify variables
Understand the importance of enzymes (lactase) in maintaining homeostasis
Use critical thinking skills to develop a comparative study
Communicate their findings

Materials

*2% milk (any milk should work)
Test Tubes (5)
*Glucose Indicator Strips (a glucose monitor and test strips may also be used)
Hot Plate (Lactase works best at 25 degrees C or 77 degrees F)
Glucose
Sucrose
Several brands of Lactase supplement tablets (make sure they are all the same dosage)
Lactase Drops may also be purchased

Lactase supplements these items can be purchased at a local drug store, grocery store, or online retailer.
Glucose and sucrose can be purchased from chemical suppliers like Flynn scientific (Glucose is also commonly sold as dextrose).

Procedures

Engagement/Assessment

Show students a video on lactose intolerance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Pe5a4C6KmY is one suggestion.

Demonstration on lactose intolerance: This demonstration should be done prior to the lab. After conducting the demonstration, allow students to develop their own procedures to comparatively study several lactase supplements. http://www.flinnsci.com/store/Scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=19009&noList=1

Exploration/Assessment

Students will design a comparative study to explore the effectiveness of pure lactase and several lactase supplements.
Place students in groups of 2
Show the engagement video
Conduct the demonstration
Show students the materials that are available to design their procedure
Teachers may want to demonstrate how the glucose strips are used and review that Lactose breaks down into glucose and galactose
Allow students to design their procedure and write it up for the next class
Students will conduct the lab and collect data

For teachers who prefer not to carry out this lesson as a guided inquiry lab, follow the procedure on the worksheet.

Explanation/Assessment

Students are required to recognize and analyze explanations and models and use data from the models in order to support a scientific argument.

After completing this lab (either as a guided lab or inquiry based), students will be able to see how enzymes function in the body and they will have a model to use in order to argue that man-made supplements work (or don’t work) just as well as natural enzymes. By formulating an explanation based on logic and evidence, this helps students to develop critical thinking skills.

Elaboration/Assessment

This article discusses the genetics behind lactose intolerance and can be used as an extension to the lab and a route to tie in the students: http://www.news.cornell.edu/stories/2005/06/lactose-intolerance-linked-ancestral-struggles-climate-diseases.

This lab allows students to investigate lactose intolerance, natural selection and evolution: https://science.education.nih.gov/supplements/nih10/evolution/lesson2.html.

Students may want to explore other enzymes that may be involved in metabolic disorders by investigating how pH and temperature affects the enzyme function. Several enzyme disorders can be found at: http://enzymes.subtleenergysolutions.com/enzyme-deficiency.html.

Prerequisites

Understanding of enzyme structure and function
How enzymes act as biological catalysts
Enzyme specificity

Best Teaching Practices

Scientific Literacy
Hands on/minds on learning
Real life situations and problem solving
Inquiry approaches
Issue based Learning

Alignment with Standards

NGSS Standards:

HS-LS1-1. Construct an explanation based on evidence for how the structure of DNA determines the structure of proteins which carry out the essential functions of life through systems of specialized cells.
HS-LS1-7. Use a model to illustrate that cellular respiration is a chemical process whereby the bonds of food molecules and oxygen molecules are broken and the bonds in new compounds are formed resulting in a net transfer of energy.

Common Core Standards:

RST.9-10.3. Follow precisely a complex multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or performing technical tasks; analyze the specific results based on explanations in the text.
RST.9-10.9. Compare and contrast findings presented in a text to those from other sources (including their own experiments), noting when the findings support or contradict previous explanations or accounts.
WHST.9-10.2. Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/experiments, or technical processes.

Ohio Standards:

Science Inquiry and Application: Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations; Design and conduct scientific investigations; Use technology and mathematics to improve investigations and communications; Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence (critical thinking); Recognize and analyze explanations and models; and Communicate and support a scientific argument.
http://education.ohio.gov/getattachment/Topics/Ohio-s-New-Learning-Standards/Science/HSscience_Model_Curriculum_April2014-1.pdf.aspx

Content Knowledge

Biological Polymers: enzyme substrate reactions
Basic knowledge of how an enzyme substrate complex works
Examine how enzymes work in our bodies
Examine how enzymes break down biological polymers and other macromolecules

Safety

All lab safety rules should be followed. Make sure to read all MSDS material for the chemicals used in the lab.

Applications

Lactose Intolerance is not an uncommon disorder. This lesson provides students with the opportunity to explore the effectiveness of oral lactase supplements versus natural and decide for themselves, which product works best.

Assessment

Teachers may choose various routes to assess their students. Traditional assessments could include: Lab Report or Student presentation on the lab and their results.

This is an online rubric that can easily be used for this lab: http://mccam.weebly.com/lactase-lab-rubric.html.

Other Considerations

Grouping Suggestions: Lactase works best at a pH of 6. Students may be placed into groups of 3 or 4, but it is best to assign duties when larger groups are used.

Pacing/Suggested Time: 2 ninety minute class periods are suggested for the inquiry based option of this lesson. Teachers who conduct the guided lesson, may choose to use 1 or 2 ninety minute class periods. Students may design a study to check for lactose levels in items like sodium caseinate or other milk derivatives.

Printable PDF Worksheets

Guide Lesson for Teachers and Students Worksheet

Safety Disclaimer