NANP Board Practice Exam

Which enzyme is responsible for helping to break down sucrose into individual fructose and glucose molecules?

1. Amylase

2. Lactase

3. Sucrase

4. Trypsin

The correct answer is: Amylase

The correct answer is sucrase, as it specifically functions to hydrolyze sucrose into its constituent monosaccharides: fructose and glucose. This enzyme is crucial for the digestion of sucrose, which is a disaccharide found in many foods, including sugar and fruits. When sucrase acts on sucrose, it catalyzes the reaction that splits the disaccharide into these two simple sugars, allowing them to be absorbed by the body and utilized for energy. Amylase, on the other hand, primarily acts on starches, breaking them down into maltose and dextrins but does not work on sucrose. Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose, which are different from the components of sucrose. Trypsin is a proteolytic enzyme that aids in the digestion of proteins, making it irrelevant to the breakdown of sugars like sucrose.