1. An enzyme that breaks down disaccharides into monosaccharides during digestion.
Usage: biochemistry; commonly used in medical and nutritional contexts

Examples

• Lactase is a disaccharidase that helps digest milk sugar in the small intestine.
• The body produces several disaccharidases to break down different types of sugar.
• People with lactose intolerance lack sufficient disaccharidase activity for lactose.
• Sucrase, another disaccharidase, breaks down table sugar into glucose and fructose.
• Disaccharidase deficiency can lead to digestive problems and nutrient absorption issues.