Enzyme Crucial for Adult Milk Digestion

Milk contains a sugar called lactose. Most adults cannot properly digest lactose because their bodies produce insufficient amounts of the enzyme lactase after infancy. Lactase is essential for breaking down lactose into simpler sugars (glucose and galactose) that can be absorbed by the body.

Identifying the Correct Digestive Enzyme

To determine which enzyme allows an elderly person to digest milk, consider the function of each option:

• Lactase: This enzyme specifically digests lactose, the sugar found in milk. If an elderly person can digest milk, their body is producing enough lactase.
• Cellulase: This enzyme digests cellulose, a component of plant cell walls. It is not involved in milk digestion.
• Amylase: This enzyme digests starch (a carbohydrate), which is found in grains and vegetables, not milk.
• Pectase: This enzyme digests pectin, found primarily in fruits. It is not related to milk digestion.

Therefore, an elderly person who can still digest milk demonstrates sufficient production of the enzyme lactase.