In the small intestine, the enzyme lactase hydrolyses the disaccharide lactose into the monosaccharides glucose and galactose. If lactase is lacking, a condition called lactose intolerance can result. The lactose then moves undigested into the large intestine, causing diarrhoea. Some babies are born with congenital lactase deficiency, which is an inherited disorder, and they need lactose-free milk from birth. Suggest how two parents who can digest lactose may have a child with congenital lactase deficiency.
Lactase may be manufactured using biotechnology and then applied to make dairy products without lactose. It is often kept immobilised in alginate beads. Fig. 2.1 compares the activity of lactase free in solution with lactase immobilised in alginate beads across a temperature range. The free lactase and immobilised lactase samples were used at equal concentrations.
Using Fig. 2.1, describe how immobilisation affects the activity of lactase.
Suggest reasons for the differences in activity between immobilised lactase and free lactase up to $40\,^{\circ}\text{C}$.
State the benefits of using immobilised enzymes instead of free enzymes.