What is an example of a disaccharide?

Lactose is a disaccharide because it is composed of two monosaccharides, specifically glucose and galactose, which are linked together by a glycosidic bond. Disaccharides are carbohydrates that consist of two monosaccharide units, and this bonding creates a compound that has different properties from the individual sugars. Lactose is commonly found in milk and dairy products and is an important source of energy, especially in infants.

In contrast, fructose and glucose are examples of monosaccharides, which are the simplest form of carbohydrates. They cannot be hydrolyzed into simpler sugars. Cellulose, on the other hand, is a polysaccharide made up of long chains of glucose units and serves a structural role in plant cell walls. Therefore, the composition of lactose as a combination of two simple sugars makes it the correct example of a disaccharide.