What is the disaccharide formed by glucose and galactose?

The disaccharide formed by glucose and galactose is known as lactose. Lactose is a sugar that is primarily found in milk and dairy products, playing a significant role in biochemistry, particularly in the context of human nutrition and metabolism.

Lactose is composed of one molecule of glucose and one molecule of galactose, linked together by a specific type of glycosidic bond—specifically, a β-1,4-glycosidic bond. This unique structure is important for the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose into its monosaccharide components, glucose and galactose, allowing for their absorption in the intestine.

Other disaccharides, like sucrose, are composed of different monosaccharides; sucrose consists of glucose and fructose, while maltose is formed from two glucose units. Fructose, on the other hand, is not a disaccharide but a monosaccharide, which further distinguishes it from lactose. Thus, lactose is the specific carbohydrate resulting from the combination of glucose and galactose.