Which of the following is NOT a polysaccharide?

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Maltose is the correct answer because it is a disaccharide, which means it is composed of two monosaccharide units linked together. In contrast, polysaccharides are large, complex carbohydrates that consist of many monosaccharide units joined together.

Starch, hyaluronic acid, and keratan sulfate are all examples of polysaccharides. Starch is a storage polysaccharide composed of long chains of glucose units. Hyaluronic acid is a glycosaminoglycan, a type of polysaccharide that consists of repeating disaccharide units and is found in connective tissues. Keratan sulfate is another glycosaminoglycan, made up of repeating disaccharide units and is also involved in the structural and functional integrity of various tissues.

By understanding the definitions and structures involved, it becomes clear why maltose is identified as the only disaccharide in the group, distinguishing it from the other options, which are all classified as polysaccharides.

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