Enzyme

Ask questions about projects relating to: biology, biochemistry, genomics, microbiology, molecular biology, pharmacology/toxicology, zoology, human behavior, archeology, anthropology, political science, sociology, geology, environmental science, oceanography, seismology, weather, or atmosphere.

Moderators: AmyCowen, kgudger, MadelineB, Moderators

Locked
deleted-308827
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:05 am
Occupation: Student

Enzyme

Post by deleted-308827 »

Hi,
What is the molecular mass of beta-galactosidase in mice? And what is its role and what tissues is it found in?
Thanks!
SciB
Expert
Posts: 2071
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:00 am
Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Enzyme

Post by SciB »

Hi,

Did you google 'what is molecular mass of mouse beta-galactosidase'? I did that and found lots of hits. For example: http://www.jbc.org/content/250/19/7752

You can find out the answers to all your questions by spending a little time online searching and reading. And you will learn more that way. If there's something you don't understand we can try and explain it for you.

Sybee
deleted-308827
Posts: 3
Joined: Fri Oct 09, 2015 10:05 am
Occupation: Student

Re: Enzyme

Post by deleted-308827 »

Sybee, thank you for helping us...we still are not sure about what the enzyme does and if it does the same thing in all the tissues, and if it is in all the tissues of the human/mouse?
Clare
SciB
Expert
Posts: 2071
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2013 7:00 am
Occupation: Retired molecular biologist, university researcher and teacher
Project Question: I wish to join Scibuddies to be able to help students achieve the best science project possible and to understand the science behind it.
Project Due Date: n/a
Project Status: Not applicable

Re: Enzyme

Post by SciB »

Hi Clare!

You are welcome--happy to help.

Beta-galactosidase (b-Gal) is an enzyme that digests a sugar called galactose: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beta-galactosidase

You have probably heard of the sugars lactose and glucose, right? Well if you put galactose and glucose together chemically the result is lactose (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galactose). That is where the sugar in human milk comes from.

As far as I know b-Gal only digests galactose. So, the enzyme b-GAl would only be synthesized in certain cells in a mouse or in a human. I don't know which cells these would be but it would have to be somewhere in the digestive pathway.

If you have more questions, please let us know. We want you to understand all this stuff because the more you know the better decisions you can make about health, nutrition and medical treatments.

Sybee
Locked

Return to “Grades 9-12: Life, Earth, and Social Sciences”